AE100
PORTRAITS IN STYLE AND CULTURE
Meet Asmus Leonhard, Fashion Stylist
Tell us about your life's work.
I’ve happily had a few careers in the fashion industry over the last half century. In the 1960’s, I went from working in men’s suiting and haberdashery in London’s Piccadilly Circus to Christian Dior’s Paris menswear boutique. By the 1980’s, I was accepted into the Lord & Taylor retail sales program in New York and went on become a fashion stylist for the AGA ad agency where men wore three-piece suits and hats to the office. My life’s work inspires me every day. I get to travel the world on fashion shoots and see so many amazing places in over 18 countries and 15 US states. I’m inspired by the many wonderful and interesting people I meet. One of my most inspiring experiences was being the first Western fashion stylist to work in China. I worked alongside photographer Albert Watson shooting at the famous Forbidden City in Beijing.
How does your sense of pride inform what you do?
It makes me try to be my best in life: working at my best and taking care of myself so that I always feel and look my best.
What do you want your legacy to be?
To be remembered as a good family member, friend and worker. Someone who tried their best and was always on time for customers and clients.
What’s your take on classic style?
It doesn’t have to be the most expensive to be classic. Style comes from pieces like a white shirt and good shoes. You can feel good about yourself in both relaxed and luxurious clothing.
Could you share three tips for lasting style?
1. Invest in either a great, double-breasted suit or a tailored blazer. Both can be worn formally or casually. I like to wear my tailored jackets with a pocket square, over a cashmere turtleneck with khakis or jeans and beautiful leather shoes. If you don’t have a pocket square, just fold up a business envelope. It looks like a nice, ironed white cotton pocket square when it’s in your breast pocket.
2. With so many men not needing to dress formal for work, try something unique by wearing a suit and tie when you feel like standing out in a crowd.
3. Learn some simple sewing skills. Hemming your own pants and sewing on shirt buttons will save you so much money in your lifetime.
“I define classic style as a way of presenting yourself in clothing and lifestyle based on tradition, comfort and neatness.”
—Asmus Leonhard, Fashion Stylist
Tell us about your life's work.
I’ve happily had a few careers in the fashion industry over the last half century. In the 1960’s, I went from working in men’s suiting and haberdashery in London’s Piccadilly Circus to Christian Dior’s Paris menswear boutique. By the 1980’s, I was accepted into the Lord & Taylor retail sales program in New York and went on become a fashion stylist for the AGA ad agency where men wore three-piece suits and hats to the office. My life’s work inspires me every day. I get to travel the world on fashion shoots and see so many amazing places in over 18 countries and 15 US states. I’m inspired by the many wonderful and interesting people I meet. One of my most inspiring experiences was being the first Western fashion stylist to work in China. I worked alongside photographer Albert Watson shooting at the famous Forbidden City in Beijing.
How does your sense of pride inform what you do?
It makes me try to be my best in life: working at my best and taking care of myself so that I always feel and look my best.
What do you want your legacy to be?
To be remembered as a good family member, friend and worker. Someone who tried their best and was always on time for customers and clients.
What’s your take on classic style?
It doesn’t have to be the most expensive to be classic. Style comes from pieces like a white shirt and good shoes. You can feel good about yourself in both relaxed and luxurious clothing.
Could you share three tips for lasting style?
1. Invest in either a great, double-breasted suit or a tailored blazer. Both can be worn formally or casually. I like to wear my tailored jackets with a pocket square, over a cashmere turtleneck with khakis or jeans and beautiful leather shoes. If you don’t have a pocket square, just fold up a business envelope. It looks like a nice, ironed white cotton pocket square when it’s in your breast pocket.
2. With so many men not needing to dress formal for work, try something unique by wearing a suit and tie when you feel like standing out in a crowd.
3. Learn some simple sewing skills. Hemming your own pants and sewing on shirt buttons will save you so much money in your lifetime.
“I define classic style as a way of presenting yourself in clothing and lifestyle based on tradition, comfort and neatness.”
—Asmus Leonhard, Fashion Stylist
