Dappertude was more than just a style seminar. It was a gathering of the city’s finest gentlemen working toward a vision of ideals, a path and lifestyle that takes pride in career, personal grooming and fashion. It’s a mindset both physical and spiritual that founder, Johnny Li established three years ago held annually in Sydney and Melbourne.
“Men now want to invest in themselves more but without the right knowledge or education from brands they either give up or do it wrong.” says Founder of Dappertude, Johnny Li. He said the seminars he curates are designed to inspire a validated sense of self that allow basic questions in fashion and styling to be answered.
Dappertude could be the evolution to a once sidelined concept of metrosexuality which in new ways becomes a permanent fixture in the modern male’s mainstream consciousness. First impressions in business and relationships are critical. Therefore styling choices and its semiotic notions now characterise men as a whole reflecting personality and aspiration. This is at the core of “the guided path” in the Dappertude philosophy.
Intrinsic to the Dappertude Style series is expertise and it opens with internationally renowned Stylist, Jeff Lack whose celebrity and editorial portfolio includes Guy Sebastian, Tim Robards, Robert Whitaker, Jamie Oliver, Axel Whitehead and more. Jeff gave an overview of the international trends he has seen on his travels. It’s an interactive demonstration as the models are used to surmise fundamental basics when assembling one’s look or outfit. Color, fabric and pattern choice are relayed with tips on how to get better mileage out of pieces through selective mixing and matching while keeping to his basic rules. For men, there’s a specific formula to follow.
Norma Yap, Director of Truefitt & Hill introduced guests to the oldest barbershop in the world which turned 214 years old this week with its Mayfair location tending to generations of the royal family.
Sydneysiders can now enjoy the same whisky room, straight razor shaves, skin and hair treatments available at the QVB.
While there’s nothing wrong with buying off-the-rack, a tailored suit moulds itself to your actual body shape as Andrew Taylor from Mr. A. Taylor explained, and there are 38 points of measurement taken when creating his garments for clients. He offers both made to measure pre-designed suits but is much more popular for his bespoke service steeped in classic Italian heritage.
He’ll come to you to measure and deliver it on request. The design process doesn’t only involve sketching and consultation, but the creation of an outfit that reflects the personality of who he is suiting which he describes as a “visual representation of the man you really are” which will “unlock a part of yourself that you didn’t know existed”.
There’s more to shoes than meets the eye. James Seaford from the Thomas George Collection shared findings from a paper published in the Journal of Research in Personality which found the formation of perceptions and characteristics during first meeting encounters were dictated by the footwear they observed someone wearing.
His line was created for the online local shopper who is often forced to shop overseas, it’s construction strays away from glued soles and instead uses a shank which is often found in mountaineering boots but designed for everyday wear. Trimly was also on hand providing guests with complimentary shoe polishing giving guidance on proper technique.
Wallets, passport holders, tablet cases, folios and the like should also be coordinated into outfits aesthetically as well as practically.
The same superior quality from those described above are carried through in the collection presented by Carl Fortu from Old Angler who are exclusive distributors of specially sourced Italian buffalo, calfskin and nappa leathered accessories among many others.
Sunglasses are another accent of definition like the ones showcased by Pacifico Optical.
Mindset is fundamental to making all of the above work. We were reminded of some of those points and how men engage and relate to each other with some inspirational words from JuVan Langford, a Men’s Health & Wellness Educator and Founder of The MENtour which is hosting a symposium next weekend at Sydney Town Hall called Manifest.
In between sessions, the group of gentlemen were treated to a selection from Jackalberry’s menu which provided the stylish urban jungle setting for business card exchange and networking. Great selection of canapes alongside the free flowing wine.
Johnny Li says that the vision or idea of Dappertude isn’t about monetary status or club exclusivity and that if a man who’s taking pride in his appearance investing in ways to improve himself from the inside out, that man is already a part of the dapper lifestyle.
Images Courtesy of: Joe Cheng / Maven PR