![\"\"](\"http:\/\/www.keikari.com\/english\/wp-content\/pictures\/2020\/06\/An_interview_with_J_Robie_at_Keikari_dot_com05.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\nSo, right out of the gate with the age question.\u00a0 I hate to say it, but I\u2019m 45 years old.\u00a0 Somehow it hurts writing that.\u00a0 For the past 25 or so years, I\u2019ve been a Creative\/Art Director specializing in packaging and branding.\u00a0 I began my career in the hair care industry, but for the past 15 years I\u2019ve worked for a large consumer goods manufacturer.\u00a0 In my time, I\u2019ve played a lot of different roles on both the marketing and creative side.\u00a0 I\u2019ve helped launch countless new products and brands, most of which are still around today.\u00a0 Surprisingly, this profession is somewhat of a far cry from where I started.\u00a0 In my late teens and early 20s, I was a Hairdresser, Competitor, Educator and \u201cPlatform Artist\u201d (which is a fancy term for doing hair on stage for an audience).\u00a0 I also spent a lot of time doing hair for print publications, mostly in beauty and fashion.\u00a0 In retrospect, I took every opportunity to get out from \u201cbehind the chair\u201d and be more creative.\u00a0 I also had a desire to grow, acquire new skills and utilize as many talents as possible.\u00a0 It\u2019s interesting when I think about where my life has taken me and how all these experiences have shaped the way I think about things.<\/p>\n
VR: Your educational background?<\/p>\n JR: I attended public school, but had many extra-curricular activities as a child.\u00a0 I studied music, dance, theater and whatever else I had somehow been inspired to learn.\u00a0 In my teens, I attended the Orange County High School of the Arts (OCHSA), focusing on Commercial Dance and Musical Theater.\u00a0 I had a passion for the arts, but by the time I was ready to graduate, I knew it wasn’t something I wanted to pursue as a career.\u00a0 I did, however, learn a great deal and these passions helped me become the person I am today.<\/p>\n As a dancer, I learned about movement and got to know my body.\u00a0 It also taught me discipline, patience, endurance, and never to give up.\u00a0 Dance is interesting in that it uses so many human qualities in tandem.\u00a0 Aside from the music and choreography, a dancer uses their body and mind to express emotion through each movement.\u00a0 At all times completely aware of the way they look to the world.\u00a0 And when it comes to clothes, a dancer learns how clothes accentuate movement.<\/p>\n As an actor, I learned to inhabit a character.\u00a0 I became a student of people.\u00a0 To be more aware of myself and others in an effort to understand the feelings and motivations that drive us; and most importantly how to look at things from a different point of view.\u00a0 I practiced how to feel and react thoughtfully through a different lens.\u00a0 I also learned how important clothes can be; and letting them become part of your character.\u00a0 The way you wear them says a lot about who you are and how you\u2019re feeling.<\/p>\n During high school I also had a great passion for beauty and style.\u00a0 I was a choreographer for various hair care companies and met some truly inspiring and artistic personalities.\u00a0 I was exposed to a new world of artistry and craftsmanship.\u00a0 After graduating, I went to beauty school for hairdressing with the intent of doing hair for fashion, film or television.\u00a0 I did end up doing a lot of print work; working with some very talented photographers, fashion stylists, makeup artists and models.\u00a0 I learned more about photography, fashion, clothes, styling and beauty.\u00a0 I was able to develop an eye for what looks good, not so good, or just out of place.\u00a0 Through working alongside so many talented individuals, I learned more and more about their crafts and I was able to grow to see more than just the hair.<\/p>\n My time as a hairdresser taught me so many things about design and aesthetics.\u00a0 Also about finding inspiration and developing new ideas.\u00a0 I remember in an interview, with Vidal Sassoon, he said that hairdressing is a unique art form in that you\u2019re working on something living…it\u2019s a sculpture that changes and grows.\u00a0 Unlike other art forms, like painting or sculpture, you can\u2019t always change it or adapt it after it\u2019s complete.\u00a0 Hairdressing as an art is never complete.\u00a0 Since your subject is a living individual, there are many opportunities to change or evolve.\u00a0 I suppose the same could be said about the way we dress ourselves.\u00a0 There are so many opportunities to try new things; and improve or evolve the way we look.<\/p>\n So, you may be wondering, how did all this lead to my current profession?\u00a0 As I continued my career in hairdressing, I took a position with a large hair care company and entered corporate life…eventually becoming Creative Director for a couple different companies.\u00a0 I\u2019ve learned much along the way, but I think all my experiences have given me a unique perspective and a more thoughtful approach to design and branding.<\/p>\n All that being said, I\u2019m still learning something new everyday which helps to inform the way I live and work.<\/p>\n VR: Have you any children or spouse (and how do they relate to your style obsession)?<\/p>\n JR: I\u2019m married, with two “kids”…Tobie is a terrier and Penelope is a kitten; they are both adopted.\u00a0 The kids don’t care what I’m wearing, but my wife gets a kick out of my sartorial adventures; and even follows me on Instagram.\u00a0 She enjoys seeing how I put together an outfit and likes to brag to her friends and co-workers that I’m the best-dressed, most stylish husband.\u00a0 That, and she knows it makes me happy.\u00a0 We actually have a lot in common when it comes to style obsessions.\u00a0 We both can be found in the closet obsessing over jewelry (her) and socks (me).\u00a0 We love to get dressed and go out whether it\u2019s for drinks, dinner, travel, or just for the hell of it.\u00a0 We\u2019ve been friends for most of our lives.\u00a0 We met at the auditions for the high school of the arts.\u00a0 We were partnered up for \u201cacross the floor\u201d routines and have been together ever since.\u00a0 I\u2019m very fortunate to be married to the love of my life, best friend, partner in crime and the most thoughtful, genuine person I\u2019ve ever met.<\/p>\n VR: …and your parents’ and siblings’ reactions when your style journey began?<\/p>\n JR: My parents are very supportive and I think proud of the way I present myself to the public.\u00a0 My style journey began at an early age.\u00a0 My father worked in the Men\u2019s department for J.C. Penney when I was a boy.\u00a0 He always wore a suit or sport coat to work, of course.\u00a0 And, I\u2019d always have dress clothes.\u00a0 I\u2019m an only child, so they\u2019d take me everywhere; recitals, plays, musicals, church, fine dining, etc.\u00a0 In a way, they encouraged me to dress for the occasion.\u00a0 So much so, that I wore a three-piece suit to my first day of elementary school.\u00a0 My parents (who protested to abolishing public school dress codes in the ’60s) tried to talk me out of it, but I wanted to make a good impression.\u00a0 I guess you could say this was my entry into being overdressed in California.<\/p>\n Since then, they\u2019ve seen my style change in a variety of ways.\u00a0 Everyone in my family always looked great, but over the years the expectations of dressing for the occasion have been lessened.\u00a0 Several years ago, I started making a conscious effort to wear tailored clothing more frequently.\u00a0 It was a gradual process, starting with dressing to go out more.\u00a0 I’d be better dressed at dinner, better dressed for drinks, better dressed on vacation, and eventually better dressed at work.\u00a0 As years have gone by, I\u2019ve noticed my family has been dressing better as well.<\/p>\n VR: What other hobbies or passions do you have besides apparel?<\/p>\n JR: My wife and I share a passion for wine, food and travel…and we\u2019ve met many lifelong friends through these adventures.\u00a0 It\u2019s definitely this passion that drives us to work so hard.\u00a0 I also do some graphics work on the side for a few winemaker friends and we blend our own wine every year.\u00a0 We love to cook and host dinner parties, always with a theme and always include cocktail\/wine parings.\u00a0 I also enjoy bread making quite a lot.\u00a0 My sourdough starter is named \u201cYeastie Boys\u201d.\u00a0 It\u2019s is sort of like a pet, so I probably should have included it along with Penelope and Tobie.\u00a0 I pretty much only listen to jazz and standards.\u00a0 I love movies, everything from blockbusters to classics.<\/p>\n I could go on and on, but I\u2019ll leave it here.\u00a0 Ever since I was a child, I\u2019ve always been interested in learning new things.\u00a0 I tend to take very deep dives into anything I find interesting or challenging.\u00a0 I enjoy the process of learning, practicing and personal achievement.<\/p>\n VR: How did you first become interested in clothing, and when did you turn your eyes towards the tailored look?<\/p>\n JR: I\u2019ve always be interested in clothing.\u00a0 I\u2019ve always had a wardrobe which would include a good amount of classic menswear.\u00a0 It\u2019s evolved over time, but I still wear things I bought 20 or 30 years ago.\u00a0 I think I\u2019ve always gravitated toward tailored clothing.\u00a0 I’m definitely a product of watching too many old movies as a child.\u00a0 I grew up watching a lot of old Hollywood musicals and movies on television.\u00a0 I do have to say that I got a lot more serious about it in my late 30s, it has continued to today.<\/p>\n VR: How have you gathered your knowledge of clothing — from books, in-house training, workshops or somewhere else?<\/p>\n JR: I think it\u2019s mostly been through osmosis.\u00a0 Growing up watching film and television.\u00a0 Photos, people on the street.\u00a0 Ever since I was\u00a0 a boy, I\u2019d take notice of people who looked elegant or stylish.\u00a0 I\u2019d try to understand what was it about their look that I liked.\u00a0 Was it the cloth?\u00a0 Was it just the way they carried themselves?\u00a0 Was it their smile?\u00a0 In the same interview with Vidal Sassoon I mentioned earlier, talking to hairdressers he said, you have to have an antenna.\u00a0 Use it to pick up everything you see and take note of things that strike a cord.\u00a0 Someday you\u2019ll draw on that to inspire a new idea.<\/p>\n I\u2019d say most of my knowledge has just been gathered through a lifetime of experience.\u00a0 In my teens to early 30s, I\u2019d look at a lot of fashion and beauty magazines, both women\u2019s and men\u2019s.\u00a0\u00a0 As I got more serious about classic menswear, I started doing more research.\u00a0 I joined the various forum communities such as Ask Andy, StyleForum and London Lounge.\u00a0 I started reading menswear blogs and love reading copies of old Apparel Arts and Esquire issues.\u00a0 I think my biggest influence has been Yukio Akamine<\/a>.\u00a0 His writings and photos, and now YouTube videos, illustrate a very thoughtful, classic approach to menswear.<\/p>\n I also think a lot of what I know has just been through experimentation.\u00a0 It\u2019s been trial and error…and again, taking note of what I like; or don\u2019t like, and thinking about how to improve it.<\/p>\n VR: How would you describe your style?<\/p>\n JR: I\u2019m not sure I have a truly defined style.\u00a0 I tend to dress in a thematic way.\u00a0 I\u2019m always trying to create a story with clothing.\u00a0 It could be a story about the weather, season, destination, occasion, time period, color, or I\u2019m just playing a character.\u00a0 I suppose you could say my style is classic Hollywood, but I\u2019m not sure I exactly fit that mold all the time.\u00a0 I think my style is a reflection of who I am; and who I aspire to be.\u00a0 I try to style my clothes in a way that not only looks good, but makes me feel good…which might be even more important.<\/p>\n VR: Do you have a particular style or philosophy of cut behind your commissions?<\/p>\n JR: I don\u2019t think I\u2019ve settled on a particular style or cut in tailoring.\u00a0 I have an appreciation for many styles and think it\u2019s just a matter of figuring out what would make them work for me.\u00a0 I think my tastes right now gravitate to American and Italian tailoring.\u00a0 I love casual suiting…and being in Southern California, summer cloths are ideal for most of the year.\u00a0 I need to feel comfortable in my clothes, and beyond the cloth, fit is the upmost consideration for being comfortable.\u00a0 I think the most important thing to learn is how things should fit and look their best on you.\u00a0 I think balance is key.\u00a0 I\u2019m short and slender, so I need things to fit close to my frame, but also elongate and segment my body vertically.\u00a0 I\u2019ve found higher waisted trousers make my lower body appear longer as well as a very tapered leg opening, +\/-18,75 cm, to be exact.\u00a0 Jacket length has been less of a problem, but I have noticed that if I get a longer jacket, I prefer a slightly wider leg opening on the trousers.\u00a0 It\u2019s literally a balancing act.\u00a0 I think you have to experiment and learn what\u2019s best for you.<\/p>\n VR: Who or what inspires you?<\/p>\n JR: I\u2019m inspired by everything, anything that can be gleamed using our five senses.\u00a0 On some level, I\u2019m constantly paying attention to what I see in the world.\u00a0 Consciously or unconsciously, I\u2019m picking up on things that will later become inspiration for something down the line. \u00a0You never really know where inspiration will come from, so you always have to be open to it.\u00a0 To me, that\u2019s how you become creative; and develop your personal style.\u00a0 I have accumulated a lot of inspiration to draw upon, and in many areas.\u00a0 In the moments when I\u2019m creating something new, a brand; or an outfit for the day,\u00a0 I\u2019m opening up that toolbox of inspiration and allowing it to inform the end result.<\/p>\n As mentioned, in recent years my biggest inspiration has been Mr. Yukio Akamine.\u00a0 There are many, but I think one of the main reasons I’m attracted to Akamine’s style is that his inspiration has also been largely gained from the cinema.\u00a0 Akamine\u2019s style and playfulness with menswear is truly inspired.\u00a0 I don\u2019t remember where I first saw one of his photos, but I think it was one of Scott Schuman\u2019s [from The Sartorialist].\u00a0 I remember thinking, this is what I need to strive for.\u00a0 Akamine\u2019s photos, blog posts, and now YouTube videos have educated me in ways that I\u2019m still discovering.\u00a0 There are so many facets to his style it\u2019s hard not to learn something new.\u00a0 Most of my “aha” moments lead directly to something I gleamed from him.\u00a0 By the way, I don\u2019t read or speak Japanese.\u00a0 I was so committed to gaining the knowledge he was offering, I read all his posts using google translate.\u00a0 It was worth it.<\/p>\n VR: What’s your definition of style?<\/p>\n JR: I think style is a blend of being introspective, creative and confident.\u00a0 It\u2019s about learning who you are and creatively expressing that to the outside world in all ways of manner and dress; and, above all, loving yourself.<\/p>\n VR: Finally, the US (and California especially) is known for casual dressing. What kind of reactions does your style raise from time to time?<\/p>\n JR: Nowadays, I feel there always has to be something that divides us.\u00a0 A two camp mentality.\u00a0 In this instance, one is either overdressed or underdressed; depending on your point of view.\u00a0 Some may desire to switch camps, others are adamant and think you should join theirs.\u00a0 That being said, California is pretty diverse.\u00a0 I think most people don\u2019t give what I\u2019m wearing a second thought.\u00a0 Some people do take notice and though I don\u2019t get many comments, the ones I do are very complimentary.\u00a0 In some ways, I think I\u2019m just adding to the diversity…something you don\u2019t see everyday, and a reminder of how relaxed our culture has become.<\/p>\n https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/j.robie\/<\/a><\/p>\n Photos: the Robie archives<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n