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6 Male Muses
The role of the male muse might constitute a rather brief working relationship; an influence and inspiration that lasts one or two fashion seasons only and is based - for example - on some historical character or other: a perfect pop culture icon, perhaps, or even a distinctive stranger glimpsed fleetingly in the street.
By contrast, other contemporary men's designers prefer a much more on-going meeting of minds, returning again and again to a familiar and pivotal figure whose role is more that of collaborator or catalyst - knocking about in the studio, kick-starting the latest collection into existence.
Either option is, of course, just as valid. Whether a total stranger, close cohort or chum, Mr Muse possesses an individual spirit, physicality or sense of style that not only translates into an aesthetic value, but is also a priceless asset - ultimately ensuring the international fashion industry remains a mega-bucks affair. With this in mind, a selection of high profile menswear designers now pay homage to the hitherto little-acknowledged men behind the scenes...
The type of man we think of, and would Like to dress, is handsome, healthy, passionate and charismatic.
We have never stopped researching for new faces amongst the most beautiful models. in the world, always looking for those traits that can better sum up our vision of the ideal man.
Lately, our attention was caught by David Gandy's magnetic look and by his athletic and sensual body. He did some shows for us and has been in some of our past campaigns - he is currently the very admired face of our new fragrance, Light Blue Pour Homme."
TOM KERRIGAN / KIM JONES "My muse is Tom Kerrigan who is English, aged 19 and comes from Pimlico, London - which he thinks is South London, but it's not! I first met him at a magazine shoot that I was doing with the photographer Alasdair McLellan, and he made me laugh straight away. He has a totally ‘normal' look, which I liked about him, and a good sense of humour - he’s very funny - and he looks good in my clothes!
I generally have a group of guys that I regularly work with, but Tom is based in London so it’s easier to get hold of him at short notice. He's very easy to get on with and all my team like him, which is important when it comes to working with someone. And another good thing about Tom is that he is an electrician - he fixed my washing machine for me!"
From the late 1950s up until the mid-1980s Jean-Paul Belmondo was a major box office draw, always a handsome and stylish figure, he starred in many of the most iconic French films of the past few decades. These include Jean-Luc Godard's legendary Breathless, in 1960 - a film which established Belmondo as a leading idol in the French New Wave of cinema.
LUKE DAY / PATRICK GRANT "Luke has an enviable knack of making anything look effortlessly cool. He has the fearlessness that supreme self-assurance and an abundance of good looks and charm provide. There is a playfulness to his clothes which is starkly refreshing. I admire the way that he puts together looks that seem obvious, but which in fact are genuinely new. That is rather rare.
Luke inspires me to avoid uniformity and take a chance in a place where few do - Saville Row. He reminds me that young men can and should wear clothes that are less typical and more expressive. If I ever get nervous about nudging a client towards something less obvious Luke reminds me that young men with confidence look great with a little dash."
PETER MURPHY / NICOLAS ANDREAS TARALIS The muse for my first men's collection at Cerruti was Peter Murphy, from the band Bauhaus. The collection was based loosely on his iconic image and what he represented as a cross between elegance, class and style, but with a much more subversive undertone.
My first remembrance of Peter Murphy was at the end. of the 80s, when I saw him around the time of his solo single release, "Cuts You Up'. I was completely taken. I remember he was dressed head to toe in black, with razor-straight, platinum blond dyed hair and an impossibly skinny body. iI was totally fascinated.
I've unfortunately never had the pleasure of meeting him and so my admiration has remained on a totally detached and distant level. This distance gives me, I suppose, some space to idealise about a certain spirit or attitude that he expresses."
CHARLIE CASELY-HAYFORD / JOE CASELY-HAYFORD "My muse is my son Charlie - let's just say he's one of my better creations! He is 21 years old and currently studying history of art at the Courtauld Institute and Working part-time at Dover Street Market.
I am constantly inspired by his energy, individualism and his great entrepreneurial skills. His youthful view often adds another dimension to the way I see things. Charlie is exposed to the development process on some of my projects. His knowledge of classical and contemporary art is extensive, and as someone who has organised some great club nights in London, his view on style is also of interest.
He has an individual attitude, and as a result has created his own look, often wearing vintage Joe Casely-Hayford with things from my current collections, perhaps mixed with items from Dover Street. Charlie is a good definition of the modern Gieves and Hawkes man. I created some of the Gieves products with his type of character in mind."