Fashion Five: Drake's Lookbook, Why Fashion Designers Dress Boring, Campaign Inspired by Korean Students, Bob Dylan, and Virgil Abloh
Every Sunday, I’ll share five ideas and content usually focused on fashion and menswear.
Hi all!
In case you missed it, I shared my Riveting Year in Review this week. I’m excited to see what’s in store for Riveting in 2025.
Today, I decided to revisit the “three-word exercise”—a simple exercise where you summarize your style in three words. Last year, my three words were subtle, elevated, and contrasting. After reflecting on what I learned about myself and my style, I updated my 3 words to reflect my current style better:
Classic
Through experimenting with Ivy style last year, I learned that I love dressing up. I’m drawn to classic, formal pieces like button-up shirts, pleated trousers, leather footwear, knitwear, and blazers. Dressing casually just doesn’t feel like me.
This preference aligns with my personality—I’m a bit of an old soul. I enjoy reading old books, listening to classic music, and older TV shows and movies. I like being in control, feeling put-together, and investing in pieces that are built to last.
Comfortable
Another lesson I learned from experimenting with Ivy style last year is that while I love the aesthetic, it often felt uncomfortable or impractical for my lifestyle. For example, I enjoy wearing ties, but they added extra time to my mornings, felt restrictive, and I’d look ridiculous wearing a tie on a Zoom meeting in my bedroom for my remote Job.
Now, I want to be dressed up but comfortable. I do this through more oversized formal pieces which introduces tension — combining the formality of dressed-up pieces with the comfort and casualness of a relaxed silhouette. This is why I love oversized button-ups and wide fit pleated pants. Both pieces are formal in nature but the oversized nature makes them more casual.
Simple
One of my qualms with the fashion industry is its consumerist culture. I have no desire of actively participating in every trend (though I’m not anti-trend) and amassing a large wardrobe.
Especially since I’m curating a wardrobe of high quality pieces, that fit me perfectly, and that age well, each piece will speak for itself. No need to overcomplicate my outfits. This may not result in trendy, eye-catching, Wisdom level fits, but it’s my personal style and I’m confident in it.
What are your three words?
Drake’s Lookbook
No, not the rapper. Drake’s is a London-based menswear brand that focuses on traditional Ivy style. They consistently have one of the best lookbooks of any brand. For this campaign, they invited many prominent writers, craftspeople, and designers from Tokyo’s scene to model for this shoot. I shared a few of my favorites above.
Why Fashion Designers Dress So Boring?
In a recent interview with luxury designer JW Anderson, Anderson was wearing a random flannel with wearing Levi’s jeans. Despite creating intricate, beautiful designs for his brand, his personal style was simple, almost boring. This pattern is common across the fashion industry. Even Alexander McQueen, known for his genius designs, often dressed in unremarkable, everyday clothing.
In this video, Fashion Roadman explains that many designers spend so much of their time immersed in thinking about and creating clothing that they don’t have the energy to focus on their own wardrobes.
The analogy here is with chefs. Chefs rarely prepare Michelin-level meals for themselves or their families. After spending hours crafting elaborate dishes for others, doing the same at home feels like too much. The same principle applies to fashion designers—they reserve their creative energy for their craft, not their personal style.
Post Archive Faction (PAF) “Our Uniform” Campaign
Post Archive Faction (PAF) is a South Korean fashion brand known for its experimental and futuristic designs.
PAF describes the story behind their latest campaign titled Our Uniform, inspired by the uniform of Korean students:
This campaign is inspired by the shared memories of Korean students wearing school uniforms and down jackets. It aims to connect the past and present, connecting past generations who transformed and reassembled these uniforms to express their identity and individuality—with the present generation, represented by PAF’s vision of ‘redefining uniforms’ for a new era.
A Complete Unknown
A Complete Unknown is a biopic about the legendary musician Bob Dylan, portrayed by Timothée Chalamet. I spontaneously watched it with my roommate last night.
While I’m a fan of some of Dylan’s work, the movie left a strong impression on me. It felt like being transported back to the 1960s. The music, fashion, and culture of the era were captivating to see.
Virgil Abloh Quote
Thanks again for subscribing! I’d love to hear some quick feedback on what you enjoyed and what you would like to see more of.
Have a wonderful Sunday and Merry Christmas to those who celebrate!
See you again next week,
<3 James