Between designing a new menswear collection and running stores in New York and Los Angeles, the UNIS founder took the time to play a round of “Would You Rather.”
This feature appears in Complex's October/November 2012 issue.
As told to Jian Deleon (@jiandeleon)
I’d rather a man need my style help than know fashion inside out. It’s more fun helping guys. They can be super trusting in their own weird, particular ways, and it’s nice to feel like you’re adding something and helping them. That is one of the reasons I fell in love with menswear.
I’d rather be behind the scenes than in front of the camera. I hate getting my picture taken. Hate it. It’s very uncomfortable for most people who aren’t in the business of getting their photo taken. I’ve never been comfortable in front of a camera unless I’ve had a drink or two.
I’d rather buy real vintage items than reproductions. It looks so obvious when things are new and washed to be vintage. And why would you want to pay $400 for a pair of jeans that you can get for $30? With UNIS, I don’t over-wash anything. When the customer wears the product, it gets distressed because that’s what happens to guys’ clothing over time.
I’d rather stream a movie than go to the theater. I love being in my bed. When I’ve been traveling every five days between New York and LA, I love staying in bed with a glass of wine and watching TV or a movie. It’s like a mini vacation.
I’d rather shop in a store than online. Online shopping is convenient for things like stockings, underwear, and tank tops, but for actual clothing you have to understand proportions and see how things look on your body. For expensive pieces, you want to make sure they’re right for you. I love trying on multiple things to make the best choice.
I’d rather visit Europe than Asia. I’ve traveled through Asia—not everywhere I want to go yet—but I haven’t been to Paris in a while. I would love to go. There are so many other European cities I haven’t been to yet.
