By Marni Manko By Marni Manko | October 10, 2024 | People, Feature,
These Philly gents have style in spades. A closer look reveals the personalities behind all that panache.
ANTHONY ROTH COSTANZO
COUNTERTENOR, GENERAL DIRECTOR AND PRESIDENT OF OPERA PHILADELPHIA
As a Grammy Award-winning opera singer, as well as the newly appointed general director and president of Opera Philadelphia, Costanzo sees himself as both an artist and administrator—less day-into-evening, more stage-into-conference room. Eschewing traditional notions of dress, he’s not interested in the conventions of a tuxedo or conveying authority by tucking in his shirt. He’s interested in being himself, expressing his authenticity and finding fun ways to play with propriety that won’t offend, but will dazzle by cultivating the unexpected, playing with silhouettes and creating structure and geometry that both reveal and obscure.
THE THREE WORDS TO DESCRIBE MY SENSE OF STYLE ARE CITY, FANTASY, INTERGALACTIC
MY ULTIMATE STYLE ICON IS JUSTIN VIVIAN BOND
THIS FALL, THE LOOK I WILL BE WEARING MOST IS COMME DES GARÇONS TWISTED DRESS SHIRTS AND MARIA CORNEJO SILKY PANTS
MY SIGNATURE DAY LOOK IS AN ISSEY MIYAKE JUMPSUIT WITH A HOMEMADE BELT
MY SIGNATURE EVENING LOOK IS A HENRIK VIBSKOV TRANSPARENT DRESS SHIRT WITH BLACK ANN DEMEULEMEESTER JEANS AND SIMONE ROCHA SHOES
MY SIGNATURE SCENT IS FREDERIC MALLE, LYS MEDITERRANEE
NO OUTFIT IS COMPLETE WITHOUT VERY LOUD UNDERWEAR FROM 2XIST THAT NO ONE WILL SEE
BRIAN LIPSTEIN
PRESIDENT & CEO OF HENRY A . DAVIDSEN, MASTER TAILORS & IMAGE CONSULTANTS
While men turn to him to score some of the most luxe custom suiting around, Lipstein defines himself as an entrepreneur, first and foremost. A certified image consultant (through the Association of Image Consultants International) he considers himself somewhat of sartorial chameleon with the variety of styles he embodies. And through his work, he helps individuals feel better about themselves by educating them on the elements of style and the quality of clothing and creates personalized strategies for each one around building their wardrobes and developing their personal brand utilizing custom-tailored clothing.
THE THREE WORDS TO DESCRIBE MY SENSE OF STYLE ARE TRADITIONAL, ELEGANT, SPORTY
MY ULTIMATE STYLE ICON IS CARY GRANT
THIS FALL, THE LOOK I WILL BE WEARING MOST IS CUSTOM KNITWEAR LAYERED UNDER SPORTSCOATS OR BOMBER JACKETS
MY SIGNATURE EVENING LOOK IS MY NAVY 5-PIECE TUXEDO (TWO JACKETS, TWO VESTS, ONE PANT, ALL INTERCHANGEABLE)
THE MOST TREASURED PIECE IN MY WARDROBE IS THE PIECE I HAVE PLANNED FOR MY WEDDING—A DARK GREEN, SUBTLE-PATTERNED TUXEDO JACKET MADE FROM DORMEUIL CLOTH WITH JADE SHAVINGS
NO OUTFIT IS COMPLETE WITHOUT A POCKET SQUARE AND/OR A DISTINGUISHED TIMEPIECE
MARCUS ALLEN
CEO, BIG BROTHERS, BIG SISTERS INDEPENDENCE
As the CEO of BBBSI, Allen’s role is not only to lead, but to inspire. Style plays a crucial role in how this former professional basketball player presents himself and the organization to the world. Whether meeting with potential donors, mentoring young leaders or speaking at public events, his style reflects the professionalism and commitment he brings to his work every day. And this fall, he’s spearheading the launch of a fresh new sports-inspired logo created by iconic designer Todd Radom that’s more than just a modern symbol—it’s a representation of Allen’s mission at BBBS and the bold steps they’re taking into the future.
THE THREE WORDS TO DESCRIBE MY SENSE OF STYLE ARE SPORTY, SIMPLISTIC AND PURPOSEFUL
MY ULTIMATE STYLE ICON IS DENZEL WASHINGTON
THIS FALL, THE LOOK I WILL BE WEARING MOST IS A NAVY SUIT PAIRED WITH A CRISP WHITE SHIRT AND A BOLD POCKET SQUARE
MY SIGNATURE DAY LOOK IS A TAILORED SUIT, WELL-FITTED BRANDED TEE-SHIRT AND AIR JORDANS
MY SIGNATURE SCENT IS TOM FORD’S OUD WOOD
THE MOST TREASURED PIECE IN MY WARDROBE IS MY CUSTOM-MADE POWDER BLUE SUIT BY ROB FUNG
NO OUTFIT IS COMPLETE WITHOUT A POCKET SQUARE
THE TITLE OF MY AUTOBIOGRAPHY WOULD BE “HERE LIES…WHY YOUR ENDING MATTERS MORE THAN YOUR BEGINNING”
DANE
MECHALI
OWNER AND CREATIVE DIRECTOR, MECHALI
Originally hailing from South Africa and with Moroccan roots, Mechali—who came to the U.S. to play tennis and fits in time as a pro while he’s not dreaming up the latest in luxe streetwear garb for his eponymous menswear brand—seamlessly melds his athletic background with his love of all things fashion. Inspired by his international background and embodying a playful aesthetic, each of the brand’s capsule collections features limited quantities of pieces, such as this season’s drop that includes relaxed denim with embroidered flowers on the leg, and his newly launched athletic line.
THE THREE WORDS TO DESCRIBE MY SENSE OF STYLE ARE TIMELESS, CONFIDENT, EXPRESSIVE
MY ULTIMATE STYLE ICON IS LEWIS HAMILTON. I LOVE HOW EXPERIMENTAL HE IS.
MY SIGNATURE DAY LOOK ALWAYS HAS SOME LAYERED CHAINS AND RINGS
MY SIGNATURE EVENING LOOK IS JEANS, A CROPPED PLAIN T-SHIRT AND A FITTED JACKET
MY SIGNATURE SCENT IS OCEAN NOIR BY MICHAEL MALUL
THE MOST TREASURED PIECE IN MY WARDROBE ARE MY VINTAGE GUCCI SUNGLASSES
NO OUTFIT IS COMPLETE WITHOUT PLAYING WITH SILHOUETTES AND PROPORTIONS
IF I COULD TURN BACK TIME, I WOULD TELL MY YOUNGER SELF TO LIVE IN THE MOMENT MORE AND ENJOY THE PROCESS
JEFFREY LEVINSON
FOUNDER, JEFFREY LEVINSON
As the founder of Jeffrey Levinson, a slick handbag brand that’s a known fave of A-listers ranging from Jennifer Lopez to Kate Hudson, Levinson has used his auto industry background (he helped launch all-new, game-changing models for Jaguar) to build a global luxury brand informed by the highest ideals of American innovation. His ambition is to create flawlessly beautiful products using a masterful combination of new technologies and materials merged with age old techniques and, of course, timeless design. His latest launch is this season’s hand-crafted Andie line of bags, which is the brand’s first foray into leather goods.
THE THREE WORDS TO DESCRIBE MY SENSE OF STYLE ARE CLEAN, SIMPLE AND FUNCTIONAL
MY ULTIMATE STYLE ICON IS GIANNI AGNELLI
THIS FALL, THE LOOK I WILL BE WEARING MOST IS WORKSHOP CHIC
MY SIGNATURE DAY LOOK IS A TEE, UNTIL THE TEMPS DROP
MY SIGNATURE EVENING LOOK IS A NAVY SUIT AND NOTHING NEW GRAND WHITE SNEAKERS
MY SIGNATURE SCENT IS ARMANI PRIVE, VETIVER D’HIVER
THE MOST TREASURED PIECE IN MY WARDROBE IS MY WEDDING RING
NO OUTFIT IS COMPLETE WITHOUT AN ATTITUDE
THE TITLE OF MY AUTOBIOGRAPHY WOULD BE “WHAT IF WE DID IT THIS WAY? ”
Photography by: OPERA PHILADELPHIA; PHIL KRAMER; BIG BROTHERS BIG SISTERS; DEVON CHRISTINI; BRAND