May 21, 2017 |
“Style is being able to put things on without looking like you have really tried,” says Alister Mackie, one of the most visionary stylists working today. In addition to his role as creative director of Another Man, which he helped found, Mackie works alongside Kim Jones as creative consultant and stylist for Louis Vuitton’s menswear. “We definitely come from different points of view, but we know each other well, so we can have a laugh when needed!” says Jones, who was introduced to Mackie through fellow stylist and Dazed alum Nicola Formichetti. “He understands what I need him to bring to the table, is a great support and key to the collections, too.”
Ted Stansfield: Who gave you your first break?
Alister Mackie: “Louise Wilson gave me my first real break by accepting me on to the MA course at Central Saint Martins. She sorted out a bursary. It was during that course that I met Katy England, who asked me to come and work with her. She was working at Dazed & Confused at the time and it was then that I got to do my first shoots.”
TS: What accomplishment are you most proud of?
AM: “I think that leap of faith – leaving home very young and deciding to go for it. I think everything else has happened because of that first move.”
TS: What are the most crucial ingredients to good styling?
AM: “In pictures I try to bring out some sense of truth or authenticity. I like to bring out something in the subject that’s already there. For a fashion show I tend to work much more on development, working with the team on the fabrics and colour and the silhouettes. But in the silhouettes I still try to create a sense of individuality.”
TS: What is your most treasured item of Louis Vuitton that you own?
AM: “I am very lucky in that I have many pieces that we have worked on over the seasons, including some beautiful accessories made especially for the runway and sets of trunks. A special piece is a beautiful tuxedo in the original Chapman brothers design.”
TS: In your opinion, what makes Kim so good at what he does?
AM: “He is really passionate about travelling. He thinks really quickly and has great ideas, always coming up with a great narrative for the collection that we will develop for the runway.”
TS: Which emerging talents are you most excited about and why?
AM: “There are many – Charles Jeffrey, Sarah Piantadosi, Ethan James Green, Brett Lloyd.”
TS: What was the last song you listened to?
AM: “I’m listening to a ’60s playlist on repeat – Dream 3 by The Cowboys from Sweden.”
TS: Who are your ultimate cult icons?
AM: “There are so many – Robert Mapplethorpe, Ossie Clark, Lord Byron, Kenneth Anger, Joe Dallesandro, Peter Berlin, Brian Jones, Joe Orton, Pierre Clémenti… ”
TS: Who are your favourite people to follow on Instagram?
AM: “@jamescrewe, @albert_salvador, @mr_gazoline and @douglasahart.”
TS: What do you do to relax?
AM: “Watch Planet Earth.”
Stay tuned for the rest of the 10…
Text by Ted Stansfield
Photographer Brett Lloyd
Taken from 10 People To Meet in the latest issue of 10 Men FLUID UNIQUE BRAVE, on newsstands now…
