My objective with the Style Profiles here on Third Looks is to provide visitors a digital glimpse into how real people dress. I take pride in the fact that each person I profile has vastly different tastes and wardrobes. Everytime I run into JonCarlo I notice that he is always in a new fresh look.
I met JonCarlo through my friend Scott shortly about two years ago. Since then I’ve come to discover that he is someone who is not only knowlegable about fashion , but spends the time and money to collect the pieces he loves. Visting his East Village apartment I was quite impressed by the large wardrobe he had put together with a full assortment of eyewear, coats, shirts, trousers, and jackets. I respect that JonCarlo bravely buys pieces that catch his eye and finds ways to work them into his seasonal outfits. He has a great sensibility on what pieces are worth buying and an ability to intuitively put it all together. Keep in mind that this style profile is only a small part of the sizable personal mensewar archive that JonCarlo has put together over the last ten years.
Look 1
New Era Yankee Fitted Cap
Oliver Peoples Sunglasses
Club Monaco Cashmere Thermal Sweats
Raf Simons FW09 Coat
Dries Van Noten double layer button up shirt
Balenciaga Shoes
Slow & Steady Wins the Race 4-sided bag
Look 2
Albertus Swanepoel hat (navy)
Oliver Peoples Sunglasses
Dries Van Noten Military Jacket
Won Hundred Crewneck T-Shirt
3.1 Philip Lim Elastic Waist Trousers
Converse Chuck Taylor Sneakers
Look 3
New Era Oakland A’s Fitted Cap
Oliver Peoples Sunglasses
Philip Lim 3.1 Blouson Jacket
Shaun Samson shirt
Giuliano Fujiwara Shorts
Comme des Garcon x Heschung Shoes
Look 4
Albertus Swanepoel (Black)
Oliver Peoples Sunglasses
N.Hoolywood F/W 10 Military Trench Coat
Maison Martin Margiela Coat Scarf
J.Sabatino Striped Mohair Sweater
Paul Smith High Waist Banded Trousers
Pierre Hardy backpack
How did your interest in fashion develop?
It developed at a really early age. I spent alot of time looking at magazines like Sassy, Town & Country, YM and Details. That’s when I discovered designers like Claude Montana, Byron Lars, Mugler & Todd Oldham. I remember waking up every Saturday morning to watch CNN Style w/ Elsa Klensch & being given an early education on the Antwerp six, Yasmeen Ghauri and Orlando Pita. When I was old enough to get my license, I started going to Little Tokyo and buying magazines then heading to vintage & thrift stores to re-create looks that inspired me. I always loved dressing up as a form of self-expression.
I was definitely that kid in school where you would be like WTF?!? The other kids around me were interested in group sports, and I was never good at that. What was natural to me was dancing & dressing up for school. I’m not going to lie, 90’s hip hop and R&B had a huge influence on my style.
What was the connection with music and style?
I was a huge fan of groups like New Edition, Jodeci and Troop and I thought they had an amazing sense of style. There was a soul in the way they dressed and the music they made and it really appealed to me. I remember saving up minimum wage so I can buy an outfit that made me look like Marcus Graham in Boomerang and then show up to a dance doing the full routine to House Party. There was a lot pleats, rayon, silks, turtlenecks and chains in my day to day.
How do you shop?
I shop based on silhouette, construction and texture. I feel like I’ve been buying a lot of oversized and fuller cuts in the last 2 years, pants & outerwear wise. I’ve also picked up a lot of raw silk and rayon which have a lot of movement and that drape real well. I’m all about a relaxed fit. I want it to feel like I’m wearing the true definition on lounge wear; pajamas.
What do you want to see more of in menswear.
Risk. Instead of designing for the mass market or whats marketable, I want them to design based upon their initial inspiraitons. The inspiration and passion they’ve had since the initial stages of them wanting to design. I want more designers to essentially embrace that they ARE designers and for them to create something from their own personal aesthetic and points of reference.
What do you wish you could wear? Are there looks you appreciate but don’t buy for yourself?
I wish I could do full-on Damir Doma looks. I’ve always wanted to pull off the type of looks by Damir or Siki Im because there’s a romance to what they do aesthetically and it isn’t so severe. For me and knowing my personal style I could never do that look head to toe. I really appreciate it but I know my limitations. I would REALLY love to wear voluminous robes made of linen & copious amounts of draping and look like a citizen of Tatooine but I live on Earth.
What are designers are you excited about every season?
Dries Van Noten, Shaun Samson, N.Hoolywood, Christophe Lemaire, Umit Benan, 3.1 Philip Lim, and I’ve been loving Paul Smith mainline lately.
JonCarlo Domingo currently works as the East Coast Brand Ambassador for Oliver Peoples and you might see him on his frequent travels throughout the region.
Photography by Rocky Li
