Style Profile: Matthew Zorpas
Matthew Zorpas
Sophisticated. Tailored. Experimental.
The first time I met Matthew he was walking across Somerset House during London Fashion Week. He immediately stood out from the crowds. Back then the crazier the outfit the better and Matthew’s style exuded a quiet sort of confidence. We became fast friends, meeting up every time I was in London to snap photos and catch up. It has been at least five years since we last hung out in person but I’ve loved watching his adventures from afar via Instagram. He’s one of the most stylish people I know and I thought he’d be the perfect person to launch this new blog series called Style Profiles.
Matthew and I caught up this week over FaceTime to talk all things quarantine, fashion and life changes…
Describe your style and its evolution.
There has been a certain evolution between who I was ten years ago and who I am today. I think I started my connection with fashion by looking at young designers and modern/futuristic design. Slowly I started familiarizing myself with tailoring due to my professional career as a lecturer. It forced me to develop a new uniform which was a suit. I felt right wearing that. I went very classic for a period of time and very sharp. I was very strict with what I was wearing.
Now I’m in the phase of trying to mix the two eras. There is still a sophistication and attention to detail but there is also some modernization and freshness from young/new designers.
Favorite designers.
Every season it changes. I don’t think there is any brand out there that has not fallen into following certain trends or adapting to the market. I always get my white shirts from Brooke Brothers. Stripey shirts from Eton. American cut double breasted from Ralph Lauren. Tuxedo from Tom Ford. Jeans from Levis. I think there are certain brands and designers that have excelled in a certain product. If you feel comfortable in that white t-shirt make sure that white t-shirt is sustainable, 100% cotton and ethically made. Continue to buy that from the same brand if you trust that brand.
Most prized possession.
If you asked me that 10 years ago it would be a fashion item but from fashion I jumped into the art scene a bit. I have some beautiful paintings I bought from Brazil from Oscar Niemeyer. Now I think after owning an apartment for the first time in my most valued possessions are becoming furniture.
Collaboration you are most proud of.
Being a watch ambassador for Breitling. Two years ago, the first launch project that we did together used aero acrobatics to announce my role. I had the opportunity to fly with a pilot in plane with just two seats. I got to experience the different G’s in a way that is similar to what astronauts experience.
What do you think the secret is to great style?
Experience. Just like any other job you need to familiarize yourself with what’s available and test it. See how you feel and look in different things and check with others. If you wear a certain color and people compliment you more then maybe it’s a good color for you. I think it’s about familiarizing yourself with what’s out there and developing taste slowly.
Three items everyone should have in their wardrobe.
White shirt. Navy double breasted suit. Good pair of English brogues.
Describe your quarantine style.
I try to at least dress up once a day. Whether it’s to go to the supermarket, to meet with my guest speaker for Couch Sessions or just to go out on the roof terrace and have a drink by myself. I do stay in a t-shirt and shorts during the day for a longer period of time than before but I still try to use my wardrobe. It’s like eating for me. It’s one of thing that still feel normal.
Favorite meal to cook at home.
Tuna cake. My mom used to make it and now i’m doing it too. It’s a cold tuna cake with avocado, Philadelphia cheese and biscuits. It’s one of my favorites.
Thing you are most looking forward to when this is all over.
How our time our reflection will become action and if it will become action. A lot of us experience a lot of reflective processes. We all want to change certain things. Become more sustainable. Joing the gym more. Learn how to cook. Whatever that is… can we maintain that afterwards. Can those become learning lessons that we will continue.
Currently watching.
Just finished Unorthodox which was really interesting.
Coffee or tea.
Coffee.
Biggest fashion mistake in your youth.
I would never judge anything as a mistake. I think we all have a lot of embarrassing pictures but for that moment it was something that felt right. We learn and continue and grow.
Fashion is for everyone. What does that mean to you?
Yes, fashion is for everyone. I think we have reached a point where many, if not all of us, have access to the basics and the have the ability to dress up in someway. We have enough to cover the needs of the whole population and we need to reduce consumption. But fashion continues to be for everyone. People need to have the ability to dress up. Even if it’s in a casual way. I think anywhere you are on the planet you can find the basics you need. It’s important to be able to dress up.
All photos via Matthew’s Instagram. Follow him here.
KEEP IT LIGHT, KEEP IT FROTHY...
Keeping it light n' frothy with some photos I took today in Zurich with my new iPhone (#bootydance). Don't even get me started on how great it is. My life. has been transformed.. The case I'm getting is going to be the best part. But shhh, I'm keeping it a secret for now.
I'm not normally into doing interviews but when I received an e-mail from Karolina in Poland asking if I'd answer a few short questions I couldn't resist. I love that we have so much in common and that she clearly gets what my blog is about. Check out the interview below:
A mini-interview with yours truly
- You said starting a blog was kind of distraction for you - was the decision really spontaneous? Can you point out one particular moment when it was set: OK, I'm about to start a blog? I actually remember the exact moment when the idea came to me. I was sitting in the backyard of my sister's house in St Louis with my family and randomly blurted out, 'I'm going to start a blog.' It was sort of a joke and we all laughed about it. It was August 2009, the summer after I finished my undergraduate degree.
- Reading your blog and a short "about" paragraph I can see some similarity between us: I often search for distractions (during a degree in political theory also), I love beautiful things and I love to write. Starting a blog, however, is one of the things that are put in the "maybe later" drawer. Can you convince me in very few words that this idea is really worthy accomplishing? A blog gives you the platform to express yourself in whatever way you want - you don't need to be held back or restrained by anything. It will change you. The freedom that comes with blogging is what makes it worth accomplishing.
- Has your personal style changed since you are a well known blogger? No. To be honest I've never felt like I have a strong sense of personal style. Some people have a very distinct and memorable style. I don't think I have that. I just wear what I like and it's always pretty low key. My personal style is always evolving. Working with PR agencies and designers means that now I have access to products I never thought I'd even see in real life. There are temptations that come along with that and I always try to ask my-self before walking out the door... do I really like this? It's easy to get sucked into the feeling that you should follow the big trends or wear certain things but I try to avoid that.
- Are you really The Style Crusader? What, in style and fashion, are you fighting for? I love this question. The 'crusade' has changed and developed. There was a fighting element even in the first post I did which was titled 'Mission Statement'. As I say in that post from August 2009, I can't help but scrutinize the world around me. That's definitely still true today. Now, I think the 'crusade' is really just for authenticity and quality. Whether that's in the way you put together an outfit, a magazine's content, or the behavior of a major brand.
If you have any other burning questions for me (from what underwear I like to which philosophical doctrine I most adhere to) ask in the comments below. I hate answering the same question more than once, so we can use this as a gathering ground of enquiries. Good plan?