Style

25 Under 25: The Young Leaders of Style

The young dudes are killing it.

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Complex Original

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Style is all subjective. You know that. We know that. But within the game there are leaders, and then there is everyone else. Being a leader has nothing to do with how old you are or how long you've been around, it's about having a unique perspective, and aesthetic, and a singular vision for style.

These Millenials are doing what everyone else is scared of doing—trying new things, establishing their own personal style, and starting trends. You might say these dudes go next. Nah, forget that. They've got now. Acquaint yourself with these 25 Under 25: The Young Leaders of Style.

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Michael Jaworoski

Occupation: Haberdash

Age: 22

You've got to be doing something right when you're 22 and you're the buyer for a major shop in Chicago. Michael "MJ" Jaworoski, who started back in 2007 bringing Premier Skateshop in Michigan to the limelight, has the style to convince just about anyone, even knowing his age, that he is the top buyer for Haberdash's men's collection. With his eye for what people want, that keen eye doesn't stop at work.

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Kyle Blackmon

Occupation: Stylist

Age: 21

Kyle Blackmon doesn't make very many appearances, but you can see his work all over the place. With a couple Complex Magazine article and covers under his belt already, along with other high-profile clients asking for his insight, the 21-year-old LA based stylist has established himself as a wanted man in the styling industry. If you check out his wardrobe choices, it's evident that he practices what he preaches as his risky styling skills carry-over into his every day life.

Jovany Perez

Occupation: Entrepreneur

Age: 17

Jovany Perez has been running with the cool kids of NYC for years now, and got his start forming "The Young Crafters" with Diggy Simmons. Now, helping out the 40oz. Van crew, the 17-year-old's personal style has been widely respected, even as a youngster, as he mixes vintage pieces with popular streetwear brands in a unique way. He's obviously doing something right, and we don't see that changing anytime soon.

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Nico Lazaro

Occupation: Ovadia & SonsBlogger

Age: 24

Nico has made his way around the menswear circuit with the growing popularity of his blogs, The Bengal Stripe and Nickel Cobalt, as well as his behind the scenes work with up-and-coming label Ovadia & Sons. He's also established a sprezzy casual style, well-represented in his selfie WDYWT posts, and an obvious admiration from the O&S creators as they've already named a sweater after him. What dope clothing items have been named after you lately? That's what I thought.

Angelo Spagnolo

Occupation: Blogger

Age: 24

Angelo was an early adopter of menswear blogging with his famous Eye Five Style blogspot page that frequently showcased his disheveled, yet somehow clean style. With fits that people adored and "grimy life" product reviews that actually made people buy shit, Angelo's influence, even as a teenager and in his early 20's is something most aspiring fashionistos dream of having over their audience now.

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Anwar Carrots

Occupation: Manager of PNCINTL

Ages: 21

Anwar is an icon of the streetwear scene on Fairfax in LA, from his signature dreads to streetwear and urban-heavy style, the dude keeps it real. Managing Casey Veggies through PNCINTL, he's bumped shoulders with all sorts of high-profile celebs, made his way into Tyler, the Creator's song "Yonkers", even had a clothing collab with Twelve Bar. How can you not respect a dude who's making moves like that?

Zeph Colombatto

Occupation: Model / Blogger

Age: 22

The gent known simply as "Zeph" has already made Pitti Uomo and NY Fashion week appearances for the ages, which is reason enough for the kid to make the list. But, along with his impeccable style, the 22-year-old's experience at Simon Spurr, GQ, and recent help with Four-Pins is helping him become more than a pretty face and dope outfit. Though that's not a bad place to start.

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Rhamier Auguste

Occupation: Opening Ceremony / Freelance Stylist

Age: 21

When you make your trip the Opening Ceremony in NYC, you will probably notice a smiling gentleman with uber-dope style working the room. 21-year-old Rhamier Auguste is one of OC's favorite employees, and he is also establishing himself as a need-to-know freelance stylist. You'll see much of his work, and excellent fashion sense that has grown exponentially within the OC walls, and spread across NYC-based blogs with much adoration.

Adrian Carter

Occupation: Stussy DC/ Stylist

Age: 24

Adrian "King Fucking" Carter has established himself as THE guy to go to when it comes to style in the D.C. area. Posting up at Stussy D.C. where he can kit you out in the latest streetwear, he's also done some incredible stylist work for brands like Striver's Row and for rappers Wale and Oddisee. His effortless style makes him an easy choice for styling purposes, as he has a healthy mixture of obscure streetwear and high end menswear that other dudes spend their lives trying to find.

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Ken Rebel

Occupation: Rapper

Age: 18

Running around with other stylish youngins like Ian Connor and Glyn Brown, 18-year-old Ken Rebel is creating havoc with quirky styles and legit rap skills, too. With a couple of dope singles under his belt, he's got the fly look to go with it, taking pieces from his friends' lines and mixing them perfectly with Jordan, Givenchy, and more shit that you can't help but think, "damn, this kid is stylin' on me."

Austin Neely

Occupation: PYREX

Age: 23

You may notice Austin Neely from his days as one of the key faces at RSVP Gallery. Now the stylish 23-year-old Chicagoan is moving on to some new marketing ventures, including taking a bigger role under Virgil Abloh at PYREX VISON. Neely makes mixing Givenchy into your everyday all-black-everything outfit look effortless, even though most dudes, celebrities included, don't have a clue how to do it. They can learn a lot of this youngin.

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Nakel Smith

Occupation: Skateboarder

Age: 19

Nakel Smith's skateboarding skills are well-documented in LA. Tyler, the Creator claims he's one of the best out (for whatever that's worth), but his style personifies the LA skateboarding culture to a T. His love for Supreme and HUF is apparent, and his skate-first, care-about-everything-else later is really what makes this kid effortlessly stylish.

Nate Bui

Occupation: J. Crew / Blogger

Age: 23

Simply known as "that guy you see around town," Nate has certainly made his presence felt as a style maven in NYC. The object of many a street style shot from photogs like Justin Chung and Justin Bridges, he has an infectious smile and even better sense of style. Mixing classics like leather jackets and raw denim with modern favorites, Nate is someone who's style alone will take him places.

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Noah Emrich

Occupation: Freelance Photographer/Designer

Age: 19

Noah is a young Renaissance Man. Modeling for Gant Rugger, shooting photos for The New York Times Magazine, blogging for Four-Pins, and more, the 19-year-old's say on all things style is usually met with e-nods of agreement. Since he is constantly "out here" living life in NYC as he attends Parsons, the Bostonian's hodgepodge of styles, from streetwear to menswear and everything in between, legendary around the blogosphere. If you don't know, you can probably check your Tumblr today and see for yourself.

Lucien Smith

Occupation: Artist

Age: 23

You've seen Lucien Smith in Supreme and aNYthing lookbooks, but the 23-year-old is one of the most talented artist in the NYC area right now. With showings all over the world of his beautiful paintings and collages, Smith's presence in the art world is huge. And with his downtown NYC style cues, fusing streetwear with menswear in a way only New York can, it's no wonder he has one of the biggest co-signs you can get from Aaron Bondaroff.


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Glyn Brown

Occupation: Owner of L3NF Accessories

Age: 19

The young New York native is doing more than building success off his swagger. With a scholarship to Parsons under his belt, and a few pins from his L3NF line buzzing in the streets, his innovative sense of style and drive to be different make this kid one to be on the lookout for. While he hangs with Ian Connor and Ken Rebel to form a seriously stylish young crew, Glyn's personal twists makes him a truly unique young man.

Kyle Pak

Occuptation: Vintage Eye

Age: 20

Thrifting is the name of the game and 20-year-old Kyle Pak has made it into a business. Procuring vintage eyewear from designers like Versace and MCM, Pak's eccentric genius leads him to pieces others would pass by. His mind has led to some crazy 90's inspired style, as well, with vintage leathers, interesting distressing, and some of those crazy sunglasses, which you can find complementing Rhuigi Villasenor's personal style.

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Rembrandt Duran

Occupation: ADEENYC

Age: 21

You've definitely seen some of the great pieces from Remy Durant aka Jimmy Vega's line, ADEENYC. From crazy snapbacks to red rose plush pins, the eclectic line is an extension of the 21-year-old's style, which is truly one of a kind—crazy tops, effervescent jewelry, and dyed hair to set him apart from his fellow stylish comrades.

Alonso Mateo

Occupation: Child Model

Age: 4

Jesus almighty, this kid's Swagu is literally dripping everywhere, along with the sauce from the hearty bowl of Spaghettio's he had for lunch today. The youngest of those about to take over, 4-year-old Alonso Mateo's style already legendary. His mother, Luisa Fernandez Espinosa, has the Instagram community going nuts with the fantastically styled pictures of her son looking like a G. We want to be like him when we grow up, but just a little taller.

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Rhuigi Villasenor

Occupation: Owner of Rhude Clothing

Age: 22

Rhuigi Villasenor's clothing line, Rhude, has made some strides this year and has caught many people's attention. But 22-year-old Rhuigi Villasenor's style choices, from the crazy sunglasses to the jackets that most people wouldn't dare try and wear, are what has kept Rhuigi at the forefront of the youth revolt in men's fashion. Does he make those bold, contemporary style choices because he knows he can pull it off with swagger that grown folk just don't have anymore? Of course. Whatever he's doing, we recommend he stick with it.

Dylan Rieder

Occupation: Skateboarder

Age: 24

Dylan has become one of the most recognizable faces in the skateboarding community, and not just because he looks like a model. His one of just a handful of skaters right now who consistently releases jaw-dropping, mind-boggling, game-changing footage. The kid's talent is undeniable. His style is classically cool, making everything he wears look like he's not even trying. Lots of street style starts in skateboarding, so when someone as talented AND stylish as Dylan is given the stage, everyone benefits.

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Ian Connor

Occupation: Model/Style Entrepeneur

Age: 19

The self-proclaimed "King of the Youth" has a backing most grown men couldn't fathom. Dabbling in fashion with Glyn Brown for L3NF, as well as modeling for Mishka, Ian Connor's style is indescribable. His risk-taking, fuck-authority attitude is reflected in his unique and undeniably cool aesthetic. And he's only 19, so it's going to get better. That's scary.

Jalil Peraza

Occupation: Designer

Age: 18

There is no denying that Jalil Peraza is about to make it big in fashion when it comes to the world of rap. He started out as Kanye's intern, but has since worked with Donda, Pyrex, BEEN TRILL and more. He started making clothes and his designs got major shine once Jay-Z rocked his cross T-Shirt on stage this year. With co-signs from Virgil Abloh and Hov? This kid's only going to get bigger. Looking for his clothing line to drop in the near future.

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Mark Anthony Green

Occupation: GQ Editorial Assistant

Age: 24

You know him as "MAG", the eloquent writer over at GQ who has an affinity for nice clothes and, recently, ragging on Mitt Romney (suck it Mittens! Four more years!) While we can relate to both, GQ's menswear IQ is something we can truly admire, especially for someone who has established himself at such a young age, with his perfectly cut suits and respectable footwear game. He's definitely going to be moving up that GQ ladder, which means his garb will only get dapper-er.

A$AP Bari

Occupation: Founder of V.LONE/TOASTTOTHEGOD

Age: 20

A$AP Mob members are widely known for their eccentric attitudes and even more eccentric style. A$AP Bariis the clear leader of style in the group, giving Rocky and the crew quite a few lessons on shit he was up on that they needed to be. He's used to standing out, but now he knows people are looking at him for advice on what's really good. He's also the brains behind the RSVP Gallery x ASVP jacket, and Rocky's tour merchandise. With all this under his belt, why else do you think Stüssy hit him up to model in their fall campaign? And that's also why the buzz built behind his Toast to the God denim label is through the roof.

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