Father's Day
1. What do you recall about your father's personal style?
Crespatrick de los Reyes My father immigrated to the states from the Philippines in the 80's. Becoming American was important to him, he wanted to be apart, be respected and earn his way in this country. He always dressed very professional, wearing a suit and tie as often as he could, he wanted to be presentable in every setting he was in.
Jonathan Crowder I’m fortunate in that my dad has been fairly stylish for most of my life. He doesn’t always dress up and often prefers the comfort of a well worn t-shirt and jeans. But he’s always had appreciate for craft and beautiful things and that’s on display when he decides to dress up. Perhaps the most memorable elements would be his sense of dignity, and finely tuned color register.
Jesse Jackson IV The primary thing I recall is a very long, very full style of trouser. Reminiscent of early Armani or Ralph Lauren. A great deal of drape. Too much for my taste at the time, although I see myself swinging back the other direction with my latest commissions. The high rise, pleated trouser is back, and certainly something I can see having come from my Dad.
He preferred a polished pair of brown shoes, a bi-weekly haircut (most often cut by himself)
Alec X. Smith I recall not being particularly impressed by my fathers style at an early age. As one might imagine, I had quite developed my own sense of style at the time so there was limited wiggle room for me to have an opinion. I remember my father being married to this idea of less being more. Though simple, I later discovered that this ideology would set the stage for how my father addressed some of the most complicated matters life brought our way. He loved a good pair of dockers slacks and polo shirts. He preferred a polished pair of brown shoes, a bi-weekly haircut (most often cut by himself), a decent suit on Sundays, and the occasional, mild scent of Michael Jordan cologne to seal the deal.
"Perhaps the most memorable elements would be his sense of dignity, and finely tuned color register."
2. What garments have you inherited from your father?
Jonathan Crowder One of the benefits of having good taste it that you tend to be able to enjoy your clothes for a long time, and so he’s still enjoying most of his. But over the years he has handed down a couple of cashmere overcoats and a particularly cherished vintage watch.
Alec X. Smith Over the years, I was blessed to obtain some timeless piece from my father who had a passion for designing his own fraternity gear in the late 80’s and early 90’s. As my father and I pledged the same fraternity I find pride in sporting his old gear as a token of my admiration for the man God blessed me to follow behind. I also acquired some amazing wool sweater vests and leather garments my father received from family members before him. Although I mentioned lacking an appreciation for my dad’s style early on, maturity brought to light that my dad was one cool cat back in the day. He could rock a slick pair of shorts; knees exposed and all with a tucked t-shirt and a simple chain and stop the world. His simplicity resonates deeply with me in this modern day.
"His simplicity resonates deeply with me in this modern day."
Jesse Jackson IV Unfortunately, I’m quite a bit larger than my Dad, so I haven’t had the pleasure of raiding his closet all that often. However, I do have a black and white stripped woolen cardigan from the 90s that I keep on hand.
"He told me it was the first suit he ever owned and that it was a gift from his mother the day he got his first job in America."
Crespatrick de los Reyes I grew up rummaging through my fathers closet, always trying to mix his clothes with mine. I have kept some really cool pieces of his but my favorite is from a recent rummaging. I found a wool chocolate brown suit buried in a storage closet, double breasted, peak lapels, wide pin stripes with high waisted straight leg trousers. I put it on and it fit like a glove. I took it without even telling him. His mother passed away a few months later and I showed up to the funeral in that suit. He gasped when he saw me, asking me where did I find that suit. He told me it was the first suit he ever owned and that it was a gift from his mother the day he got his first job in America.
2. What traits have you inherited from your father?
Alec X. Smith I’ve picked up more than I can explain from my father. His mannerisms, his regard for class, his respect for elegance, his attention to detail in all facets of life. His leadership has molded me into a well rounded black man with a heart for humanity and servitude.
Jesse Jackson IV Approach to Life’s Challenges: Fastidiousness and a calm, steadying, we will overcome approach to life’s challenges.
"Observing him over the years taught me that truly important things should be done as well as possible."
Crespatrick de los Reyes (I inherited) the desire to learn, the love and importance of God and family, and to cry in most movies.
Jonathan Crowder Too many to list here... to start, my sense of humor. I also inherited the habit of optimizing things. Observing him over the years taught me that truly important things should be done as well as possible. But the most important lesson is integrity — you always have to stick to your principles.
4. What advice did your father give you that has made more sense as you've gotten older?
Crespatrick de los Reyes My father and I used to disagree a lot, from little things to big life decisions. I didn't realize he was approaching things from a Filipino mindset and I an American mindset. He said something to me once that I never forgot because I didn't understand it, "you'll never know what it means to be an immigrant." As I started growing, that phrase opened me up to learn from many different perspectives, not just ones that looked like mine. It lead me to ask more questions and be so interested in peoples stories. It's helped me learn from everyone I meet.
"you'll never know what it means to be an immigrant."
Jesse Jackson IV No man is an island. No one succeeds on their own - only together can we achieve greatness.
Jonathan Crowder Looking back at my childhood, I remember the advice he demonstrated by the way he lives — family comes first, accomplishment requires commitment and sacrifice, fix things for others, and you can build an amazing life for yourself no matter where you start.
Alec X. Smith My father notoriously lived by the phrase, “If you look good, you play good.” But I believe the most important phrase; rather the question, he’d ask was, “what is the point of style if there is no substance?” And this is the phrase that’s stuck with me for years. It’s what encouraged my collegiate pursuit, my thirst for knowledge and understanding, and led my charge for wisdom understanding that the smartest men say the least and listen the most. My father is my anchor, my rock, a king!