Kevis Manzi, style consultant, speaks about his moustache, complexes and handing down values
Photos D.R.
Words Paul-Arthur Jean-Marie
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His Instagram page could be an inspirational moodboard for fashionistas looking for ultra-creative and impeccably chic clothing. Kevis works for Ralph Lauren, between the boutiques in Paris and the made-to-measure workshops in the United States. He is also a style consultant for young, up and coming brands. Horace wanted to learn more about this dandy.
Have you always paid particular attention to your appearance?
Yes, from the time I was a child, my mother always made sure her children looked their best. She would tell us: "If you look good, you'll succeed in life". (laughs)
You are the father of two young boys, ages 9 and 3. Do you also hand down this way of viewing fashion to them?
Yes, of course! But above all, I try to teach them to be free and not to be afraid of expressing their personality. The most important thing is to be true to yourself. I would love it if they wanted to wear tweed jackets and velvet trousers. But in the end, their style will be their own. Right now, my youngest is going through a Dragon Ball Z T-shirt period. It breaks my heart, but that's what he loves.
What is your daily routine?
I have a fairly simple skincare ritual: moisturiser, moustache care and fragrance. I'm very sensitive to smells. I enjoy subtle woody scents that last, like the &Horace Eau de Parfum. Fragrance, like clothing, is an individual’s signature, that special something that sets them apart from others.
What's the secret behind your perfect moustache?
The secret is definitely light. You have to find the perfect angle in the room where you trim your moustache. I myself use a cutthroat razor. The first few times, I cut myself and ended up bleeding all over the bathroom. Little by little, I finally learnt how to correctly use it.
Is it really better to use a cutthroat razor?
It allows for a more precise cut. I am also a fan of Horace shaving cream, which has a great texture and is extremely pleasant to use.
Do you have a good body image these days?
I do, although this wasn't always the case. When I was younger, I was very self-conscious because I thought I was too skinny. I used to wear multiple layers of clothing to hide my body, until I realised that trying to look like the men in magazines and ads was a waste of time and energy. Everything changed when I discovered a style that I adored, and which really suited me. I learnt to listen to myself first and foremost. And today, I no longer feel embarrassed about being bare-chested on the beach.
How did you become interested in fashion?
I've always been passionate about history and clothing styles. I wear a lot of vintage pieces, for example, which take me back in time to earlier periods in history. As I said earlier, my mother was a major influence, who has always encouraged me to look my best. Clothing is a genuine means of expression.
What, in particular, inspires you?
Old films. People I meet. I never hesitate to ask those I see on the underground, who have eye-catching outfits, where they found them. I have a few icons too, such as Nat King Cole. In the 1960s, he was an amazing figure in the United States: a black superstar with an incredible voice and elegant style.
What does your own style say about your personality?
That I'm a free spirit, which is exactly what I like to project. You have to be courageous to be free. Free to be yourself. Today, we live in a society with far too many constraints. And, even more so with this pandemic. All aspects of our lives are governed by codes and it's a real shame to impose these same codes on our clothing styles.