“It’s not just about dressing well. To look good, you also have to feel good.”
Earlier this month, saw a sea of dapper gentlemen descend on Hotel CBD, on King Street Sydney, for what was Sydney’s very first seminar purely focused on men’s style and guiding the modern man to a lofty dapper lifestyle. With guest speakers from local brands and Instagram influencers, it was an afternoon filled with info on inspiring gentlemen on what we need to know to help put our best and most stylish foot forward. In a room full of like minds gents, it was hard not to feel right at home. Each dressed in their most sartorial threads, while being immersed in the celebration of men’s fashion and lifestyle, the seminar focused on three main topics; suiting, accessorising and grooming.
We are all aware that how one chooses to dress one’s self is how the world shall perceive them. Right? And as said by Johnny Li, founder of Dappertude and the man behind of the event, “when people see you, your appearance is the first thing they will see and this seminar will educate and guide you onto this new path of improving your appearance”. And right on point he was.
With a styling session by Johnny from Dappertude on accessorising your suiting and making the perfect fold for your pocket square, Tim & Mayowa from Institchu enlightened the crowned with tips on the perfectly fitted suit, while Shira O’Sullivan, Founder of Gentsac, shared keys to grooming success. According to Shira, beard oil is designed more so for skin moisturising? Your skin becomes deprived of moisture when sporting a beard, so beard oil’s purpose is to help penetrate the hair on the face and condition the skin under the hair. For the gents who want a soft to touch beard, apply a bread balm. This will help minimise the stiff, straw-like feel to any beard and allow to better shape and style your whiskers. Thanks for the tip Shira!
With a panel of Instagram Influencers which included The Filtered Fit, Shaun Birley, Sam Wines and Steve Tilly Style, each gents shared a little about their personal style and inspiration behind their fashionable aesthetic.
Before the afternoon came to a close, many prizes where on hand for the audience, some collected prizes for their “Best Sock Game”, others scoring striking beaded wrist wear for their ensemble for the day, while all attendees walked away with a goodie bag valued at over $150 in products and gift vouchers.
There was one ultimate prize up for grabs for “Best Dress Gentleman”, which included a stunning watch from Melbourne Watch Company, a luxe grooming pack from Gentsac and a tailored suit from Institchu; just a few of the pieces in this amazing pack valued at over $1200. And…to my complete surprise, I was honoured and lucky enough to have won this prize and be bestowed with such a title for the day. Biggest of thanks judges! : )
It was to Martin Place we took for a fun-filled group photoshoot with many of the dapper attendees captured in the ultimate Dapper Squad shot; a great cap to a great day.
I had the chance for a Q&A with Founder of Dappertude, Johnny Li, and asked a few questions from fashion to business and the daily grind.
D.L: You’re the brains behind Dappertude, what inspired you to create your business and what does Dappertude mean?
DT: I was inspired to start my business when I was working overseas in Hong Kong, that was the first time I encountered the so-called “pocket square”. I remember after work I went shopping and I walked past a small boutique shop that sold accessories for suits which looked quite unique, I went in and browsed a bit then the owner came up to me and threw a pocket square on me and turned me to the mirror and said “Look, Do you feel different?” and yes sir it did!
This was the moment that changed everything, I wanted the gentlemen at home to feel what I felt and so the start of Dappertude began.
Actually, a lot of people ask me what Dappertude means, it’s actually short for Dapper Attitude. Which is the attitude that is portrayed by your appearance from dressing dapper and Dappertude is the brand which is the bridge from being a follower to an individual in style.
D.L: Working full time and running a business seems quite a large load to balance. Do you have a team behind Dappertude and what is a typical week in the life of Johnny?
DT: I run Dappertude mainly on my own with a little help from an intern, who helps where he can. Shout out to Nathan !
I also get some help from my group of Dappertudists, who I have handpicked to work together to create a brotherhood and culture, the gentlemen help with promoting and spreading the inspiration of Dappertude. They consist of @thefilteredfit, @tri.edition, @stevetillystyle, @samwines_, @Theyounggent, @thecardinalman and @a.gent.of.real.estate without them I don’t think Dappertude would be where it is today.
My typical week? Well…. I work 9-5 weekdays and at night I squeeze in 2-3 hrs to work on Dappertude, either it be answering emails or following up on collaborations etc. and on Saturdays, I try to meet with brands and bloggers over brunch and broaden my network. Sundays are left for resting and recharging for the next week ahead.
D.L: The thought of starting your own business is daunting to many. What is one of the key things you’ve learnt in starting and developing Dappertude?
DT: My advice to the people out there who are scared to start their own business is… just do it, don’t keep saying “Oh I have a great business idea, but it’s just an idea”. Turn the idea into reality, you might be thinking “I have no time cause…” Or “I don’t have money to start a business”. Time is managed by you, so don’t say you don’t have time, make time. Money problems? Start small, don’t buy large quantities of stock, test out a small quantity and if it goes well then invest more.
Even if you only have a few products and a website, at least you can proudly say “I run my own business”, it may be small but it’s a start and you never know it might become the next success.
D.L: How do you come up with the range and what inspires the pieces in the Dappertude assortment?
DT: The Dappertude product range consists of accessories which I believe can help bring out their Dapper Attitude. The four fundamental accessories are pocket squares, lapel pins, ties and tie clips.
D.L: What sparked you to take your brand to the next level and host an event like The Dappertude?
DT: A while ago I was having a chat with Thefilteredfit and he mentioned to me that maybe I should hold a small seminar to teach people how to fold a pocket square since this kind of style needs educating and I laughed and said “don’t be silly, it will take forever to plan something like that” but I knew there was definitely an opportunity because there was this gap in the market and so I decided to organise Sydney’s first men’s fashion seminar and be the brand which helps bridge men onto the dapper path.
D.L: Naturally a pocket square would have to be one of your own wardrobe staples, but what are a few other pieces, be it accessories, footwear or apparel, you think every gent should have in his wardrobe?
DT: I believe that every gentleman should at least have one of the following in their wardrobe:
White and navy shirt, a tailored dark and light coloured suit, a pair of oxford, brogues or loafers.
D.L: Was there a defining moment in your personal style evolution that you feel helped inspire how you dress today?
DT: I remember a night where I was out with a few friends and we just finished dinner when a lady came up to me and said “excuse me, I just want to say I’m really impressed in how you are dress” then she left.
I was only wearing a suit but I did have a pocket square to compliment it and that sir is my defining moment.
D.L: What’s next for Dappertude and where would you like to see Dappertude in the future?
DT: Dappertude will continue to be the brand which helps guide gentlemen onto the dapper path, so if possible The Dappertude seminar may become a yearly event in major cities in Australia. I also dream of the day that Dappertude is sold in major retailers like David Jones.
D.L: In three words, define dapper?
DT: Confident, Elegant and Unique.
D.L: What does fashion mean to you?
DT: I believe that fashion is a way to represent yourself with clothing and accessories.
D.L: And lastly, what’s your personal mantra?
DT: There is a few which I live by, but the most important one which inspires me to be my best self is a quote my best friend believed in, which I also have lived by and is “From my weakness, comes my strength”, turn my weaknesses into my strengths.
Gents check out the full Dappertude accessories range at www.dappertude.com
And till next time, stay dapper gents.
Robbie- Dapper Lounge
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