Man Made in NYC

In the fast paced, ever changing city that never sleeps, Nick Wooster reflects on authenticity, confidence and personal style before the age of three.

JIL SANDER / PEACOAT 
JIL SANDER / SATURDAY SHIRT / SHOP NOW

“Best thing about New York? There are many, but it’s really easy to navigate. You can kind of get anywhere.” 

A first look at photos of Nick shows a stylish yet brooding character, usually arms crossed man – more often than not being snapped by street style photographers as he dashes around the world.  Stylish, definitely – brooding – hardly! Nick oozes positivity and has a remarkable smile that lights up a room. He is also a menswear authority, 30 plus years in the game, working with leading luxury retailers like Barneys New York, Neiman Marcus, Bergdorf Goodman and Mr. Porter. As well as fashion labels like Calvin Klein, Ralph Lauren and Thom Browne. 

In an industry that isn’t best known for “kindness” standards, it’s no wonder that he is running three decades strong. He not only talks the talk – he walks the walk – all with a smile on his face! “Being kind, it should be fundamental and a given, but it usually isn’t,” says Nick. “So when people do go out of their way to be kind it’s just always made such an impression on me. Especially someone who travels and spends time in hotels and restaurants. I always appreciate when someone makes the effort to make you feel good.”

“I always appreciate when someone makes the effort to make you feel good.”

Now a “free agent,” Nick remains grateful for collaboration and always finding his own style stride. “The only thing that I can say about me in the fashion business is that it’s the only thing that I can with 100 percent certainty say is truly authentic [to me]. From the time I was three years old I dictated what I was going to wear, and my mom could not dress me in any way. So it’s just inherently in my genes.” 

When asked about his personal style, “I wear a shirt and pants,” he jokes. Rooted in classic pieces yet drawn to “objects” that hold a place in his wardrobe, Nick is not afraid to push the boundaries and recognizes personal style is ever evolving. Nick laughs, “I think at the end of the day for me fashion is a thousand percent insecurity. It’s all insecurity. So you know, I prioritize that. It gives you confidence. Sometimes I succeed and sometimes I don’t, but I always want to smile when I get dressed, in some way.”

As Nick continues to forge through life, where is he the happiest? “Next to a body of water. A pool, beach, not a lake. They kind of freak me out.”

Subscribe