Allow us to introduce you to Aram Eginliyan, better known as The Debonair Dude.
Born, raised, and currently living in Toronto, Aram lives and breathes all things fashion and style. That wasn’t always the case for him though. Growing up, the only time he was ever able to play around with his style was on weekends and P.A. days, where he didn’t have to wear a school uniform. Today, Aram wakes up to his carefully curated closet and wears exactly what he feels for the day. After all, that is his job, his studies, and basically, everything he encompasses.
We got a chance to talk to Aram all about his start in the fashion industry, his style rules, and his proudest style bargain.
Tell me a little bit about what you do.
I don’t really do one specific thing. I’ve never really done that since I started working in fashion but in simple terms, I am a men’s fashion blogger, wardrobe stylist and a personal shopper. And as of recently, I am a student in the Elle International Fashion and Luxury program.
How did you get your start in fashion?
Right before I finished high school I started working at British fashion brand Ted Baker and I really fell in love with their style and what they were doing as a brand so I worked there for three years after that. I got to go to London and meet the CEO and founder of Ted Baker and it got me into what I do now as a personal shopper and establish my passion which is styling people and customer service.
What initiated your passion for fashion?
I’ve worn uniforms my whole life between kinder garden to high school. So when I finished high school it was really an opportunity to care about the way I dress and really put an effort into it. I’ve always loved editorial and magazines and it kind of taught me how to dress.
Define your style in three words.
Cameleon – Unique – Debonair
What does style mean to you?
What style is to me is an essence of who you are, not necessarily how expensive your clothes are or where you go shopping. It’s about exuding who you are as an individual and showcasing that to the world.
What are the style rules you live by?
The only style rule I live by is that there are no more style rules. Being who you are as an individual is the most important style rule you can follow because the way you dress, the way you wear clothing is not just fashion, it’s style. The only thing I would say that I’ve tried and doesn’t work for me is mixing metals. I’ve seen people successfully do it but it just doesn’t look good on me. I feel like I’m off when I do that.
What are your style regrets?
Not making an active role in finding the perfect black piece sooner. Once I found the right black piece – which I still have in my closet, it’s a black embroidered Kenzo sweater – it changed my life completely.
Before three years ago, I never wore black. I never had a black piece in my closet just because I never felt comfortable wearing black and it didn’t really make me feel confident and sexy so I just opted to wear colour because that translated more of who I was as an individual. But I do own many black pieces now.
What’s your go-to outfit when you’re in a rush?
A white tee, a slim trouser and a fun pair of shoes. My motto is “when in doubt white, t-shirt it out.”
What’s one item you can’t live without?
It changes over time but the thing that came to my mind initially was this H&M cable knit, orange sweater and orange is my favourite colour, it’s the colour that best represents me. This is probably also one of the oldest pieces in my closet, I got this when I was 15 and a manager gave it to me for Christmas and she told me that it was the last one in the entire city. I don’t wear it that often but it’s something I will have forever.
Which item was your best bargain?
My Alexander McQueen jacket that I scored for 90% off at Holt Renfrew. I got it from $2000 to $200. Holt Renfrew has really great sales at the end of a season and this was one of one, on the sale rack, in my size so I asked to get the price check and I didn’t even have my wallet at the time. When he told me how much it was for, I ran to my car, got my wallet, and bought the jacket. Also, it’s black! Every piece tells a story.
Go-to shopping store?
There’s two that come to my mind – the first is Value Village where I found a brand new pair of Prada loafers and my dream double-breasted jacket for $6. The second store is a brand called Min and Mann. They’re bags that use all natural materials and leather and they’re pieces are very fun and affordable, plus they’re a local business.
What’s the trend you foresee in 2018?
I would definitely say gender fluidity in fashion is a trend, more where women’s outfits are more masculine and men’s outfits are more feminine. They take inspiration from opposite genders not only in street style but in fashion in general. I think a lot of that has to do with the progression of society.
You can follow Aram on Instagram @arameginliyan.
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