A gentleman always… “has change for a dollar, a pen, and a light,” says Nick Wooster. On the set of our Remarkable Men shoot, the stylish Wooster is everything you’d expect: Kind, funny, polite, and polished. An American fashion consultant who has worked with Barneys New York (R.I.P.), Bergdorf Goodman, and Neiman Marcus as well as Calvin Klein, Polo Ralph Lauren, and Thom Browne, Wooster is perhaps best known for his street style. “I’m an old short dude who knows how to dress himself,” said Wooster when I asked about what he felt made him so remarkable. But Wooster is far more special. With collections created in collaboration with FPM – Fabbrica Pelletterie Milano and Paul & Shark, Wooster’s career is not only impressive but humbling.
For someone who might not think he’s quite so remarkable, it’s certainly not hard for everyone else to see why. This kind, funny gentleman is the epitome of style, grace, and giving back. “Homeless gay youth organizations are an important thing to me. I think it’s important to give back to young people. I mentor and pass along clothes that I receive, because in those early years, in any fashion business, anything you can give is very much appreciated.”
Just like everything he does, there is nothing conventional about the man. His choices are bold and fearless, while keeping an eye on not necessarily the next trends (something tells us that he couldn’t give a damn about “trends”) but on what will amuse him. There is a sense of humor that permeates his choices of garments, which is one of the main reasons why so many designers and brands want his seal of approval. There is a certain swagger that is associated with Wooster, but it never veers into arrogance. This a man who wears what he likes, damn the torpedos—his Instagram feed is living proof of what we are talking about. From one country to another, you can find him roaming the streets and continuing to make an impact on the industry. “Fashion is probably the only thing I know how to do well, so that is nice that someone notices.” Many people have inquired about what influences him. “My dad was a mechanic, and I have a great style memories of him. He wore, every single day this uniform: a blue chambray shirt, Levi’s 501s, and Red Wings boots. It wasn’t fashionable at the time—it actually was basically the opposite. He wore these horn rim glasses that were very Sol Moscot, but it was all him. I guess I inherited this trait.”
While he is considered one of menswear’s biggest influencers, his most impressive accomplishment is perhaps his Delta Diamond status. “I just hit 1 million miles on Delta,” says Wooster. “Are you bored with the US? You’re always in Italy,” I ask. “Traveling makes me appreciate the US more and it is so important to see and experience other things.” And it’s true—traveling has the power to transform your perspective and shift the way you think.
And just like that, Wooster leaves our set, on to his next adventure.
Photography by Daniel D’Ottavio
Words by Kara Studzinski
Grooming: Melissa DeZarate with products from Moroccan Oil
Sunglasses: Barton Perreira
Shot on location: Scarpetta, NYC
