Phebe Wahl | Photography by Brandon Schulman Phebe Wahl | Photography by Brandon Schulman | April 1, 2020 | People, Style & Beauty, Features,
These gents have style in spades. A closer look reveals the personalities behind all that panache.
Mario Carbone
At The Grill, Mario Carbone traded his chef jacket for a custom P. Johnson suit, vintage tie bar and pinky ring.
“All of my memories of my grandfather were of him in an apron,” explains top toque Mario Carbone of his childhood spent in the kitchen. Today, he helms Major Food Group along with fellow managing partners Rich Torrisi and Jeff Zalaznick. The MFG empire counts Carbone’s eponymous Carbone (with locations in Manhattan, Las Vegas and Hong Kong), as well as countless other hot spots including Dirty French, Santina, Parm, Sadelle’s—and iconic power spots The Grill, The Pool, The Pool Lounge and The Lobster Club in The Seagram Building. Next, Carbone will debut the historical renovation of The Newbury Boston. “I think that I’ve always been a really old soul,” he explains of his penchant for the past. We polled the always-in-fashion foodie for his style-setting recipe.
When I was a kid, I was a terrible student.
If I wasn’t in my current career, I would have missed my calling.
If I had three wishes, I would wish pastry was healthier, that I could be a little more fearless, and for an unlimited tracksuit collection.
I get my hair cut by a man named Aurelio at Fellow Barber on Crosby Street.
My favorite watch is a Cartier.
My motto is if you want something you never had before, you must be willing to do something you’ve never done before.
The worst fashion faux pas is caring about fashion faux pas.
I buy most of my clothes online at Mr Porter.
The best tailor in town is Pete Johnson in Soho.
I am most confident when I wear my chef jacket.
Ryan Korban
Ryan Korban brought his ultrachic design aesthetic to buzzy new building 40 Bleecker St. and his outfit featuring a Berluti jacket, Acne Studios jeans and John Lobb shoes.
The fashion flock worship design darling Ryan Korban for good reason. The millennial wunderkind’s beautiful blend of seductive luxury with a cool, urban edge has earned fans ranging from Alexander Wang to Zoë Kravitz. As the dapper man behind a handsome new furniture collection with EJ Victor and the ultraswanky digs at 40 Bleecker, interior designer Ryan Korban (korbanstudio.com) is helping New York look sharp. We polled the designer to find out the secret to those good looks.
I would describe my style as expensive.
When I was a kid, I was very naughty.
In the next year, I hope to look younger.
Tequila makes me happy.
If I wasn’t in my current career, I would be an out-of-work actor.
My motto is if you can imagine it, then you can build it.
My style hero is Draco Malfoy from Harry Potter.
My most trusted possession is my eye.
The worst fashion faux pas is to wear flip-flops in Manhattan.
My favorite part of my job is spending other people’s money.
I am known for my sharp wit.
My favorite place to shop for clothes in the city is Bottega Veneta.
Ignacio’s is the best tailor in town.
John Lobb is my favorite shoe designer.
Brunello Cucinelli is my go-to for eveningwear.
If I wear jewelry, it is always my vintage Patek.
Spencer Means
Spencer Means was ready to deal in J Brand jeans, a Suitsupply jacket, a Sid Mashburn belt, an Hermès tie, Luis Gomez and Hermès bracelets and a Rolex watch at 20 East End Ave.
With more than $100 million in sales, real estate broker Spencer Means is a shark when it comes to working a deal. His decade of experience in the industry plus experience in both residential and commercial real estate allows Means to carefully track trends—and win some of the hottest listings in town like 20 East End Ave. “I love when people’s faces light up after you find them that perfect sanctum,” he says. We asked him for the inside scoop on how he manages to be a man on the move with such swagger.
When I was a kid, I was rambunctious.
If I could turn back time, I would tell myself to buy more real estate and listen more.
In the next year, I hope to grow wiser.
A good meal with friends makes me happy.
The best advice I ever got was from Samuel Jackson when he said to always focus on work and not to look for accolades.
If I wasn’t in my current career, I would be a trainer because I love working out and looking good.
If I had three wishes, I would wish for a billion dollars, a 600-square-foot dressing room and a partner and husband.
My motto is to be straightforward and honest.
My favorite part of my job is looking at fabulous interiors.
I am happiest when I am cooking and entertaining.
I am known for my style and speaking my mind.
I always wear a mink-lined trench coat.
Common Projects is my favorite shoe designer.
My favorite watch is a Rolex.
Other people’s opinions are highly overrated.
A man is not fully dressed without a good pair of shoes.
Alex Lundqvist
Alex Lundqvist lit up his 75 Kenmare St. listing with his Rolex Submariner and Stephen F suit and shoes.
Yes, that insanely handsome face is familiar. You likely recognize Swedish IMG model Alex Lundqvist from his work with Hugo Boss, but today he is also the face of Eklund|Gomes real estate. Lundqvist looks perfectly at ease striking a pose in the Lenny Kravitz-designed model apartment he just launched at 75 Kenmare. We asked the head-turner how he stays looking so sharp.
When I was a kid, I was a troublemaker.
If I could turn back time, I wouldn’t change a thing.
My wife changed my life.
The five things left on my bucket list are to play the top five golf courses in the world.
The best advice I ever got was to stay true to myself, despite all the success. Someone told me that after I booked the Versace campaign with Bruce Weber with Helena Christensen.
I want my legacy to be that I impacted the people I met in a positive, loving way.
The first item of clothing I bought for myself was a pair of 501 Levi’s jeans.
My earliest style memory is my super stylish grandfather and his pocket squares.
My most trusted possession is my family.
The worst fashion faux pas is to wear clothes that don’t fit you well.
I am known for my work ethic. And my work with Hugo Boss.
Omar Hernandez
Omar Hernandez paired a Ports 1961 jacket with Jean-Michel Cazabat shoes at Omar’s La Boîte.
As the man behind buzzy boîtes Vaucluse, La Boîte and members-only supper club Omar’s, Omar Hernandez is the undeniable king of the night. Known for his trademark tuxedos, the evening impresario hobnobs with the glitterati with an incomparable fashion-forward flair. Whether it is mingling with socialites uptown or hosting a star-studded, private dinner downtown, here is how Hernandez always looks the part.
Nights in New York City changed my life.
The best advice I ever got was, ‘Live your life as though it’s a celebration.’ -Carmen D’Alessio
If I had three wishes, I would wish for health, happiness and great company.
If there were 26 hours in a day, I would spend more time sleeping!
My most trusted possession is my imagination.
The worst fashion faux pas is to dress up without sprezzatura.
I am known for my tuxedos.
My three grooming essentials are a haircut by David Mallett, a microcurrent facial by Tracie Martyn and overall body grooming.
A man is not fully dressed without his bow tie and polished shoes.
The greatest love of my life is my life partner.
Bronson Van Wyck
Bronson Van Wyck presided over his apartment in a Valentino jacket, Gucci boots, a YSL belt and a L’Éclaireur scarf.
“I never knew that what I do—producing parties—was actually a way to make a living, much less a way to make a life,” says Bronson Van Wyck. As one of the leading hospitality experts in the country (he has a client roster that includes everyone from Beyoncé and major museums to past presidents), Van Wyck is the founder of both Van Wyck & Van Wyck and Workshop. This fall, the man about town released his debut book, Born to Party, Forced to Work ($80, Phaidon). We checked in with the masked man behind Save Venice’s annual masquerade ball (aka the “junior Met Ball,” slated for April 17 at the Pierre) for his stylish secrets.
In three words, I would describe my style as understated, whimsical, unconcerned.
If I could turn back time, I would tell myself to enjoy the journey but attend class a little more.
In the next year, I hope to grow up.
Parties make me happy.
The best advice I ever got was never leave a meeting without making a decision.
If I wasn’t in my current career, I would be unemployed.
The craziest thing I ever did was crash the Vanity Fair Oscar party. Five years in a row.
My motto is it’s never too late to make it perfect.
My life story in a few words is born to party, forced to work.
My earliest style memory is wearing capes. I’ve never stopped wanting to be a superhero.
My perfect day began the night before.
My favorite part of my job is that it is not work.
I am known for my spicy margaritas and hellfire Bloody Marys.
For kicks, I always wear a sensible Cuban heel.
My three grooming essentials are sleep, water and good lighting.
My imagination is my strongest asset.
I am most confident when I wear a mask. It gives you permission to misbehave.
A man is not fully dressed without a colorful past.
Photography by: Photography by Brandon Schulman | Mario Carbone styling by Julie D'Alessandro