Tell us part of your success story?
Mine a success story as much as I’d call it an exciting adventure.
Been invited to this interview based on my expertise as a clothes designer hence will limit the conversation to the subject of classic style and clothing. However, as you can tell from my qualifications above, I am much more than a clothing designer.
I began life as an engineer in the oil industry and while doing so, earned a scholarship to attend Business School in the United States. I graduated Business School and was offered a position in Investment Banking at JP Morgan on Wall Street. While at JPMorgan, I had the opportunity to wear tailored suits daily. Having already established an interest in tailoring long before I arrived on Wall Street, this was the perfect opportunity to express my individuality and taste in dress.
I began buying Ready To Wear suits, gradually moving up the chain to Made To Measure, then Bespoke. Through the course of this evolution which took two decades, I traveled across the world, visiting tailors in England, Italy and as far away as China. These adventures provided the opportunity to acquire an immense body of knowledge, experience, and contacts in the industry.
Four years ago (2018) in my basement office to be specific, AskOkey (the brand) was born. I wanted to create a classic look, once ubiquitous during the golden era (1920’s to 1950’s), but now a lost art. I set about drafting my own patterns, finding a good team of tailors to execute my designs, and ultimately building a team and company around the product.
That company we know today as AskOkey Inc. (A U.S. Delaware
Corporation).
Hi Ask Okey, could you start by telling us a bit about yourself?
Without sounding too poetic, I am what some might refer to as a complete pianist who can play the organ with both hands. I have the good fortune of well developed right and left hand sides to the human brian.
What precisely do I mean in that phrase?
I am a trained scientist (double degrees in Engineering), a money man (Investment Banker), and an artist cum designer (AskOkey).
Where I find myself to be at an advantage over other designers is the ability to express myself as an Artist (Designer) while calling upon my discipline as a Technician (Engineer) to produce a symphony. I find that at the foundation of art, are RULES. Rules such as the Golden Rule of Thirds which the great Michelangelo applied to all his works. Art itself cannot exist in a vacuum, it needs to be “grounded” by structure. Having a background in engineering provides me the tools - logically and creatively - to offer full expression to my ideas in a manner that anchors the ideas to practicality.
I could go further but I must be mindful of the limited amount of time and space I have been granted for this interview.
What is the most important skill for a stylist for men?
I will keep this one simple. PROPORTION, BALANCE, and SILHOUETTE. If you do not have a firm grasp on these principles, you will not be a decent designer, let alone a great one.
You have to have an eye for what looks BALANCED. This, one might develop from experience but more often than not, it is a talent. Just as some are gifted athletes, some just have an eye for what looks good. Of course one must then apply themselves to perfect that talent. But it is far easier when one has a natural ability with what I might call “Visual Eloquence”
In your opinion, what are the most critical aspects for a stylist?
Besides the foundation which I've mentioned above, you have to have the ability to see things in your minds eye and then reverse engineer to reality. This goes beyond the basics of Proportion, Balance, Silhouette. It also calls for an eye for color, fabrics, patterns and such. It is a menagerie of abilities added onto your natural gift, all of which conspire to produce a symphony of art.
Tell us about your latest project?
My original AskOkey designs were Classic in the true sense of the word.
The proportions were distinctly classic. A Classic Jacket, cut full in the chest, extended at the shoulders, slightly nipped in the waist and a long flowing skirt. Paired with full cut classic trousers (pleated and non-pleated). The outcome was outstanding. It became known as the AskOkey CUT. It found immediate success and critical acclaim with the Avant Garde” type of customer steeped in tradition of elegant classic proportion.
However, we had to bear in mind, there is yet a market for the
contemporary gentleman who’s taste might not be as classic or “Retro” if you prefer. We decided to go back to the drawing board and create a NEW CUT which we internally (at AskOkey) coined the “OFFICE CUT”.
Now one might naturally ask, why the name OFFICE CUT?
Our Classic AskOkey CUT is a VISCERAL GARMENT. You will not mistake it for anything else in the market. It is in my own words, A SHOWSTOPPER!
The cut, while remaining classic, calls attention to the wearer.
This attention may not always be desired particularly in the workplace where most would rather blend in and remain anonymous. This new AskOkey OFFICE CUT achieves just that. We have borrowed the best principles from our Classic Drape Cut and modified slightly to suit the everyday working man suit.
What are these adjustments we made to the design?
A slightly shorter coat (by an inch), a slightly higher waist line and waist button (for a more youthful look), slimmer trousers (for a more sporty or athletic look). The result is a fine design and garment which will not be mistaken for anything other than AskOkey, yet more palatable in its appearance and practical in use.
I could go on this new project however in the interest of brevity, I shall
quit here.
Which fashion brand have you collaborated with?
None thus far. Given the choice, I'd like to work with Maximillian Mogg, a Berlin based designer. We are kindred spirits in the world of design and language of style. A very eloquent language of style, I hasten to add.
When is the best time to share fashion advice with readers?
I am always available 24/7 on ALL our social media platforms. I have
been delivering tutorials on the subject of style for eight (8) years beginning in 2014. Many of my videos can be found in our YouTube
archives (www. youtube/com/askokeyinc).
More recently, I am very active on Instagram where we post daily reels
and short tutorials on classic style, dress, and lifestyle in general. I am
always available across these social media channels fielding questions from all comers.
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