Suit Story #3: interview with Hicham, communications advisor

Michel. Can you introduce yourself and tell us what you do for a living?

Hicham. So I'm Hicham. I'm 41 years old. Recently a family man, my favorite job but I also work in communications, in an agency called Amplify. We work on events, video and photo campaigns with great brands. I also do photos and content for brands alongside my daily agency work.

M. What was your first costume?

H. It was one of my father's suits, from Armani. My father was a dandy in the 90s, an antique dealer and gallery owner in Casablanca, Morocco. He has always had a fairly specific taste in terms of costume. With a certain classicism associated with a little touch of eccentricity, a little twist. It's something that shaped my taste in clothing and contributed to my passion for fashion since I was little.

M. And that influenced your learning of costume?

H. I think my learning began with mimicry by seeing my father yes. And when I played basketball when I was younger, I was passionate about coaches' suits, especially in the NBA.

H. I was a bit of that Michael Jordan generation. There was Pat Riley, coach of the Lakers and then the New York Knicks. He, I really think, is the most elegant guy in the world.

M. Wait, I'll look (tapping on Google).

H. He is exceptional. If you type in “Pat Riley 90’s”, you’re in for a treat.

Mr. Holy class indeed. I love suits with shoulders a little wide like that. So typical of this era.

H. Ah but I love it! And there are some that I still put a little in this style. You see, the power suits are a little wide, I find that they have a little twist and a certain comfort too. And I think that a good suit is a suit that is made for moving, for being active, for living life with all the intensity it deserves, whether at work or going out for a drink. drink after work.

M. A uniform of life that must be done to us and not the other way around.

H. Exactly. It should not be disabling armor, on the contrary. It must be something comfortable, chic and then depending on the items with which you accessorize it, it can be more or less formal.

M. To return to your first costumes, if you used a time machine and found yourself choosing them, what advice would you give yourself?

H. So, there's no need to rush. You have to try several cuts. More or less adjusted. And ask yourself the question: is this my style or not? What I recommend when buying a first suit is to go for fairly safe colors. Navy blue is a must have because it's timeless. We don't take any risks. It matches well with a pair of black shoes, a pair of brown shoes, sneakers, two-tone or white shoes. It's a bit of a catch-all so for people who want to start with suiting, I would suggest they go for navy blue. Afterwards, the cut depends on the morphology. We just have to try it, see if we're comfortable and if it makes us happy.

M. And you, are there things you would have done differently at the time?

H. Yes. I think my first suit was a little too fitted.

M. I think that’s the answer we would all give (laughs). We talked about that with Romain. He had old costumes in this case too and I sold one on Vinted for the same reason.

H. Exactly, we’ve all made that mistake. Afterwards, it was also fashionable at a certain time.

M. And maybe it will come back!

H. Exactly, but it’s true that today, it’s considered a fashion faux-pas.

M. Besides, speaking of codes, the tie, in the pants or just above?

H. Me, rather just above. It's all about comfort. Afterwards, generally, I like to close my jackets, so in the end it doesn't change much because you see very little. I also wear a lot of double-breasted suits so you don't see the end of the tie. But both schools are good so respect and friendship to everyone who puts their tie in their pants. I don’t wish them any harm (laughs).

M. Can you tell me about your outfits worn during the shoot?

H. I wore two, including one with a navy blue suit that I thought was very pretty. Quite wide lapels so I thought it matched my style well. I wore it with a blue shirt and a burgundy tie. And white moccasins to add a little twist, a Neapolitan side that I really liked.

M. Very cool, this vibe with the mocs.

H. Yes, I like to add a little something to my silhouettes. I like classicism but I also like when there is a little personal touch. A little discrepancy.

M. Having fun with the details.

H. It's true that clothes have this primary purpose of covering us but they also allow us to have fun. And then you know, I find that an outfit can change your day. It gives you confidence too. You can add a bit of fantasy on a day when you don't necessarily wake up in a good mood. And then it provokes discussions, a look. When you like it, there are always comments from colleagues, partners, friends and that creates quite positive discussions.

M. And these remarks, are they different when you wear a suit? You know, there is the famous “so, do you have a job interview this afternoon?”…

H. Yes, there are. Afterwards, I don't necessarily work in a suit. I put it on from time to time. Indeed, it’s intriguing. Anyway, today, punks are not necessarily people who wear a leather perfecto and ripped jeans. Sometimes, punks can actually be people who wear ties in environments where people no longer wear ties. And I like that.

M. And for self-confidence?

H. I think that when you are elegant and have a good look, it always helps. It is also a mark of respect towards the person you are talking to.

M. How many costumes do you have?

H. So, I have fewer than Romain I think (laughs) but I must have, I don't know, 7? He must be 50, right?

M. 10 suits and 10 blazers. He is not bad.

H. Afterwards, he works every day in a suit.

M. Yes and that’s what we like about these interviews. We all have different relationships with costumes and it often comes from our profession. As a tax lawyer, Romain is immersed in this, whereas in communications, it has nothing to do with it. So when do you wear your costumes?

H. I wear them to the office if we have a meeting with a very premium client or in the luxury sector, which happens to us from time to time. And I sometimes wear them to go out, or during fashion week. I twist them with a beret or a cap. Sometimes, if I put on a power suit, a little loose, I can even put a little hoodie underneath. This allows you to have a slightly casual chic outfit, the formal side of the suit but with a slightly more effortless twist. I can wear a suit with a pair of cowboy boots or with moccasins. For me, there are actually no limits. As long as it's done well and the colors are harmonious, you can have fun with a costume. It's a base that gives us the freedom to build something a little more fun around it.

M. Yes and when you have fun with it, it's more eye-catching than with other clothes because you rarely see people playing with the costume.

H. Absolutely.

Mr. Tomorrow, if you have an interview for your dream job - maybe one you already have - and you have to come in a suit, what do you wear?

H. I would wear… a Prince of Wales double-breasted suit. With a pair of two-tone pumps to add a little fun. I think it wouldn't be bad.

M. And why did you instinctively think of the Prince of Wales?

H. I like it because for me, it's really a symbol of the classic suit. Immediately, it brings to mind British elegance. I find it interesting as a code to divert with a slightly more surprising look. You see, I have long hair, an earring, a few gold rings. If I put on a Prince of Wales suit, I'm not going to look like an employee of the English royal court.

M. Speaking of English, the shoes, “brown in town” or “no brown in town”?

H. Brown in town. I think we need to leave old fashion dictates aside. Give people the freedom to do what they want.

M. And that's how we'll have more fun with our costumes.