Jeramiah Irwin, @jerairwin
The Jersey City–based designer attended Afropunk for the first time last year, and the festival’s accepting ethos made him come back again this year. “I love festivals in general, but this one to me is so different. Everyone is so friendly. There’s no judgment,” he says. “It’s really true what they say—the no sexism, no homophobia here.” And given the opportunity to fully express himself, Jeremiah chose a denim corset and ripped jeans that were inspired by the pop-country music he’s been listening to. Says Irwin, “I was going to wear a cowboy hat, but I’m saving that for later.”
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BRUCE PASK
Editorial Director
Bruce began his editorial career as a fashion assistant at GQ, rising to Associate Fashion Director. After nearly a decade, he became an independent stylist, working on projects with Annie Leibovitz and styling Vanity Fair covers. Bruce continued to pursue external projects including costume design for theater and television. He later joined Bergdorf Goodman and subsequently Neiman Marcus as Men’s Fashion Director and was named Senior Editorial Director at Neiman Marcus in 2023.
Contributor: Adam Katz Sinding
Published January 2025
While I’m familiar with your extensive career within editorial I’m curious to hear more about what initially drew you to fashion.
My mother owned a children’s shoe store in Yuma, Arizona where I sometimes helped out on weekends and after school, my first exposure to fashion and retail. While in college I worked summers as a sales associate at The Gap and then Esprit; I loved the store environment, helping customers and working with colleagues on the floor.
I moved to NYC with friends after graduation, applying for and getting a job I saw listed in the back of The Village Voice newspaper as a stock person at the newly opened Paul Smith store on 5th Avenue. Magazine editors and stylists often visited to see the new collections and borrow clothing for photo shoots. My boss at the time very generously told me of a position that she had heard had opened at GQ Magazine and that I should apply.
Fashion seems to have always been a part of your life. Given that deep connection to the industry, what has your career taught you about yourself?
It is very important to work hard, to be kind, and to find those people who will mentor and advocate for you. My career path has had a direction based on my interests and talent but it has not been a direct path. It has been a circuitous, rich route that has taught me to be resilient and to absorb various related experiences along the way. It is also imperative to be endlessly curious about the world around us; it all informs and inspires continuously.
Endless curiosity is such a great way to put it. Do you feel that the intersection of technology and fashion has fueled that curiosity? If so, how has it influenced your work?
I very much appreciate the democratization of fashion that arrived with the advent of social media, that the previously rarefied worlds of fashion opened up widely for those interested and wanting involvement. The information dissemination has become almost immediate and allows for a very personalized, self-determined consumption.
One can do as deep a dive as desired into the culture or touch upon it lightly here and there. It has had such an exciting impact over time in the world of luxury retail in that the customers are more exposed to the influences, more informed of what is happening in the fashion landscape, and consequently making bolder, exciting choices and prioritizing self-expression.
Q&A
How would you describe your personal style?
I certainly have developed a uniform over the years, always trying to strike a balance between casual and dressed up. I usually incorporate some sort of jacket into my daily look; I started wearing chore jackets many years ago and appreciate the casual, yet pulled-together quality it gives a look.
I used to wear a lot of denim but have gradually shifted to wearing trousers, usually fuller-cut khakis or flannels. I guess you could say there is a sort of overall American-ness to the look, the mix of sportswear and casual tailoring with some aspects of workwear incorporated.
One wardrobe item you are never letting go of.
A raw denim Helmut Lang jean jacket I bought in 1992 in Vienna at the Helmut Lang store there. I was working at GQ as an assistant, and we were in town shooting the designer and a few of his favorite models for a fashion story. I used to wear it a lot and it’s now very well worn in, but it’s in semi-retirement now.
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Connect with BRUCE on Instagram
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SPOLIGHT SERIES: RIKKE JUNG LARSEN
Larsen sits with Adam Katz Sinding to discuss learning through doing and the importance of curating a diverse network.
LOGO HERE
Having previously founded menswear brand L’HOMME ROUGE, John is a Woolmark Prize winner, and was named the future face of global menswear by Interview Magazine. After a health scare 10 years ago, he took up running to relieve anxiety and cope with stress. He has since founded the holistic running brand UNNA, which means "treat yourself" in Swedish. He now serves as the creative director.
Contributor: Adam Katz Sinding
Founder & Creative Director
JOHN-RUBEN HOLTBACK
What changes have you seen influencing fashion culture?
I used to discover brands and designers by going to stores, feeling the fabrics, and trying on products. Twenty years ago, buying denim meant going downtown and touching it, you know? We had to invest time to really experience it. Now, you can just go on social media, do a quick browse of a brand, and get an idea. However, this doesn't tell you much about the actual product, its quality, or the depth of detail.
We've shifted a lot from focusing on product quality, to product presentation and branding. I see an opportunity in finding new ways to showcase products and be an influential source. Today, brands are more defined by their vibe than by the people wearing them. Customers lean into that vibe, so try to own it.
Do you think brick-and-mortar can have a resurgence in this environment?
Yeah, I miss the personal relationships you could build with the well-respected and passionate sales staff; these people educated me. It's just so hard to get that online. I'm not the type to post questions on Reddit; I prefer face-to-face interactions. Therefore, I believe physical retail has a role to play in the future, focusing more on the local community and bringing like-minded people together.
Staple wardrobe item?
I've been wearing my silver necklace from my friend Jonatan's brand, Kultur 5, a lot. I love it, and soon I think I need to get the bracelet too.
Do you think accessories are important, or is it just that piece that you’re drawn to?
Nowadays, I’m quite inspired by styling in general. Since entering the sports space, I’ve enjoyed merging and contrasting sports and technical clothing with wider tailored silhouettes, wool knits, jewelry, and similar items. Running with a necklace that has zero function and might even slow you down is a playful nod to all the performance-focused people out there—I don’t care.
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SPOTLIGHT: NICOLAS BAROSI
Multidisciplinary Creative Nicolas-Barosi explores his desire to grow his brand and the nuanced connection between sociology and fashion as he sits down with Adam Katz Sinding.
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Pursuing an editorial path in fashion must have been quite exciting. What sparked that journey for you?
Essentially, it started because I wanted a cashmere sweater, and my mom said, “I am happy to buy you a sweater, but it’s not going to be cashmere. If that’s what you want, I suggest you get a job and buy it yourself.” So, I went to the nicest clothing store in town, Joseph P. Roth and Sons, and asked them if they needed any help after school or on weekends, and they said, “YES.” I have been working ever since. I was 16 when I started working.
So, the question is…how many cashmere sweaters do you own now?
I recently counted 47…I feel like there could be more…somewhere.
Looking back at your 35 year career can you pinoint any individuals or experinces that you feel helped to shape your journey?
I honestly think that Peter Rizzo, who was my boss at Barneys New York (1987–89), taught me everything I know today. He taught me how to look at brands, the way a collection is designed, how to choose fabric, and how to refine my taste and point of view. He really was a master.
Were you a buyer at this time? How did you take his advice and make it your own?
Yes. I was first an assistant buyer, then got promoted to buyer. In stores, buyers are called merchants. I really believe it was the best training I could ever have. It’s analytical, it’s creative, and it’s how I developed taste and a point of view. I just listened and soaked up everything, or as much as I could. It’s as if I knew this would last only a couple of years, so I truly made the most of it.
FASHION & TECHNOLOGY IN 2025 REPORT
Discover where fashion is headed, why technology matters for every professional, and how solutions and strategy are steering the industry into 2025.
FW25/26 MEN'S TRENDS SESSION An interactive live presentation of key seasonal products, color trends, patterns, and graphic shifts in apparel, footwear, and accessories across men's markets.
