‘I am 51, I am a Cardiologist and work as the Executive Director, Chief Medical Officer of the Vanderbilt Heart and Vascular Institute at the Vanderbilt University Medical Center. My Undergraduate Degree is from Harvard University, my medical school degree is from the Washington University School of Medicine. I am married (23 years) and have a daughter who is 17. My wife is quite the dresser with a great sense of style, so we match well. My daughter puts up with both of us, but has definitely developed a style of her own and doesn’t mind at all dressing well for the occasion, thankfully. My father dressed very well with a great sense of style which my Mother matched and insisted when we went out in public that we were dressed appropriately. He wore a coat and tie each and every day to work (> 45 years), he set the standard for all of the children, we try and honor him each and every day with his example.

Products from Pukimo Raivio

Kiton, grey sports jacket, size 50EU
Ralph Lauren, Black Label suit, size 52EU

I can’t remember a time when I wasn’t interested in clothes I wore and always a bit particular to the point that it drove my Father to exasperation at times! Because of an interest in old movies, especially the films of Astaire, Grant, Cooper, etc., their sense of style, along with my Father’s, had a great influence in forming my style sense. I have never had an interest in following fashion, it is fleeting in its popularity and many times terrible in its proportion. Like many with this interest, I have developed a library of Boyer, Flusser, Esquire, etc, for examples and information regarding textiles, color, apparel. The rest has been learning from failure.

I would describe my dress fitted and colorful with an emphasis on contrast. Blue is my favorite color, and its many shades, but I am a big believer in a seasonal wardrobe, especially as I’m living in the south; linen in the summer, 13oz in the winter, dupioni silk where I can find it. From a RTW standpoint, I have been a fan of Polo, but find less and less that is wearable these days. I have become a big fan of Cantarelli coats over the past few years. My tailor is Leonard Logsdail with a relationship spanning the past 17 years. Mimmo Spano has also made a number of wonderful coats and suits for me.

The Esquire magazines from the 30’s are masterpieces of men’s style and the ensembles are as fresh now as when they were first drawn. Definitely, I’m working to reproduce most of the evening wear from those pictures and use the prints for inspiration for new projects. Regarding dress, my biggest inspiration is Astaire. To dress so well, with such great panache and to be so comfortable in your clothes, we all should aspire to this look.  Each day is an opportunity to dress well, for me to express a part of who I am to myself and the public, I enjoy the whole process, the searching, the research, the looking for unique items that fit me and the wearing, it’s fun. Style is finding a lifestyle that you are comfortable with, that defines and inspires you and respects those around you — the wife and family, the people you work for and with. It is part of your signature in the public and private arenas of life.

We like to travel, music (jazz, classical, opera), volunteer work in these areas along with my work as a cardiologist, I love being a physician. I get questions every day about clothes, what to wear, how to wear. What I tell every questioner is that clothes must FIT, they should be clean and well-pressed, no matter how old or in what variation of color or style you decide to wear. Don’t be sloppy, sloppy means that you do not care and not caring should be an affront not only to you but an affront to everyone you may come into contact.’

Pictures: © Keith Churchwell