Style Icon of the Week 03/04

by Alicia Wu, Creative Director @ SPEC Magazine | March 4, 2023

Style Icon of the Week is Calvin Carmichael!

Getting Down to the Basics

Let's talk about Calvin Carmichael. Hailing from Washington, DC, Calvin is a junior studying Business Cinematic Arts. He aspires to work in the entertainment industry and wants to combine that with his taste for fashion and the creative fields. Calvin wants to produce video content and media fashion — to work in the intersection of how we define pop culture today.

His theme song is Chun-Swae by Nicki Minaj and his favorite spot in LA is Nobu Malibu. Whenever his friends come to visit, that is always where they go. They dress up and enjoy the beautiful Malibu scenery while munching on some delicious sushi.

Style Icon Q&A

Q: How would you describe your style?

A: Eclectic. I don’t think I wear one particular style and I like to follow trends because I like streetwear and I like high fashion. I have a very mood-inspired style, and I think I do a really good job of mixing highs and lows, which has really helped me build my closet. I definitely will invest in pieces that can become signature pieces.

Q: Who inspires your style the most?

Pharrell, André 3000, and Sisqó. They helped me step up my accessories game. I feel like, in the 90s, men’s fashion embraced a more androgynous style, and sometimes a more feminine look, which I love and appreciate.

Q: What is one brand you want people to pay more attention to/know more about?

There are three. GmbH because they are trendsetters really bringing forth androgynous fashion. I found out about them when I was looking for ideas on Pinterest for my birthday fit last year, and I think their clothing really fits my tall figure. Although I like to shop from brands I think will compliment my body, MISBHV is one of those brands where I will literally buy something from because I love their designs. I recently just got a cropped top from them that looks incredible. And lastly, Denzel Dion. I recently bought a piece from his brand NOID. I think it is also important to support designers who you really like as people because it supports their creativity, and I really want to see designers like Denzel Dion succeed.

Q: What is something you have in your closet you’ve never been able to let go of, and why?

A: My Pine Green Nike Sacai Waffles. (And I would like to point out that Calvin said this without hesitation.) I will never sell them. It took me nine months to get them. I love the colorway. It speaks to everything I love in fashion, the bright color, the weird shapes, the chunky sole.

Q: What is something you are passionate about in the world of fashion? Or what change do you want to see in fashion?

A: More inclusion for black and queer people in fashion who have done so much for the fashion world in general. For example, Telfar Clements is making fashion more accessible. I love seeing Jacquemus embrace more feminine silhouettes for men’s fashion. I see them as inspiration for myself to make my mark on the industry through my personal style and expression.

Q: This is something I have wanted to ask you for so long, but tell me about your HAIR! I feel like you always do something creative and unique for it. Where do you get your inspiration?

A: I’ve been designing my hair recently because it is really fun. I’m not really good at art, so I really want to use my hair design to elevate my look and my style. My inspiration for my hair honestly comes from weird little rugs and home good designs I see on Pinterest. And adding to that, a lot of my style comes from me coming to terms with myself as a gay, Black man and finding that comfortability in my skin. My hair is just an extension of that. For instance, I have a lot of straight men come up to me and say, “I would never wear what you wear, but I love the way you dress.” And all I have to say is “yes, respect it.”