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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MADS EMIL GROVE MØLLER
Fashion Consultant
Mauritius-born and Copenhagen-raised, Mads Emil Grove Møller is a former Fashion Editor for the Danish magazines Cover Man and Dossier. He also served as Communications Manager at CIFF. Today, Mads is a fashion and culture consultant for Danish TV2.
Contributor: Adam Katz Sinding
Published November 2024
You have quite the background, from DJ to consultant. Through which avenue did you originally get your start in fashion?
As a professional DJ, I always stood out with the way I dressed. Between that and running a blog with my brother, focused on themes like fashion, design, pop culture, and more, I attracted attention from the Danish fashion magazine Cover, who ended up hosting our blog and later offering me a job as Fashion Editor of Cover Man. I also worked in PR at a local agency, MO PR, and for Adidas and other brands. What drew me in was the creative community and the opportunity to learn by having a passion for being different.
Running a blog with your brother is really intriguing. How have your family and overall network played into your career development?
My mother and father taught me to do whatever I like and always supported every unconventional choice. My brothers have inspired me with their determination and pursuit of dreams, other than that I’ve met some good people along the way who have given me chances and opportunities.
What are the most exciting opportunities you see within the industry? Are there new challenges you are facing at this point in your career?
The opportunities are out there as long as you keep seeking them and treat every pitch and job as a priority.
The new challenges involve constantly reminding people of your existence, regardless of whether you have 15+ years of experience in the industry. The competition is fierce, and everyone is fighting for the same budgets and attention. The biggest difference today is that everyone has a voice and personal outlet through social media, whereas when I started, you had to earn your way in the industry, work for free, be consistent, and prove that you really wanted to be there.
Q&A
As a consultant, I know you are constantly tasked with having fresh ideas. How do you continue to stay inspired?
I’ve always been blessed with extensive travel throughout my life, and that’s still my main source of inspiration—visiting other countries, seeing how people dress, what they eat, how they live, and what they do in their spare time.
I also love older people who have found and perfected their personal style. I can’t lie; I also spend a fair amount of time online, on social media, watching movies, and listening to music—all places where I find inspiration as well.
I love that you are able to draw inspiration from multiple facets. Having traveled extensively, are there any cities that you return to as a source of creativity?
New York City will always be my first love. I grew up dreaming of going to the birthplace of hip hop; I visited with my dad for the first time in 1998—the real New York. I just love the vibe of the city, and it still inspires me to this day. My favorite areas in NYC are the Lower East Side, Harlem, and Brooklyn. I also love Japan, as their sense of style and cool holds a very special respect for me.
Q&A
Connect with MADS EMIL on Instagram
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SPOLIGHT SERIES: MICHELLE LI
New York-based Michelle Li, a multifaceted creative consultant, model, and influencer relations expert, chats with Adam Katz Sinding to explore how she's come to embrace versatility in her career
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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Connect with JOHN-RUBEN on Instagram
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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.
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