Hitting our display within the 2000s, Gok Wan rocketed to vogue fame together with his quite a few TV hits, together with How one can Look Good Bare and Gok’s Vogue Repair.
Having labored within the business for over 25 years, Wan turned 50 this yr, giving him a recent perspective on fashion, style and vogue in midlife. Lately partnering with JD Williams, he has styled a brand new ‘Midlife Redefined Get together Edit’ reflecting this.
Gok Wan was identified for his TV reveals which centered on rising confidence by vogue.
Wan’s well-known capsule wardrobe on Vogue Repair influenced girls to streamline their collections in favour of some well-tailored and timeless items. Nearly 20 years later, his philosophy hasn’t modified.
“You want three or 4 piece of nice tailoring,” he says, “a blazer that matches your form is timeless and versatile. Pair it with a clear, high-quality white shirt with basic particulars, and also you’ll all the time look polished.”
If we’re trustworthy, most of us have most likely hit midlife and nonetheless not discovered the proper pair of denims. Wan says to go for a model you understand and belief along with your different items, “put money into basic, straight-cut denims from a model that fits your physique form.” In relation to price, Wan says to spend on basic cuts and “go away the style tendencies like deep flares or distressed types apart”.
Having just lately teamed up with JD Williams – a model identified for championing inclusive vogue – Wan now types its ‘Midlife Redefined Get together Edit’ supposed to supply timeless and well-tailored items for girls of all ages and physique varieties for the festive season.
“Every time I tackle an ambassadorial function I ask what’s the model making an attempt to alter? What do they stand for?” he says.
“Now we’re speaking in regards to the menopause greater than we ever have finished – thanks, Davina [McCall], you’re wonderful – we’re speaking about midlife far more than we ever have finished earlier than.
“I determine as a male and I really feel strain, however nowhere close to like my contemporaries. I imply, I gown like a 14-year-old skater boy a lot of the day,” he laughs pointing to his outsized flannel shirt, “and I’m a 50-year-old man! However nobody ever questions what I put on, the second it’s a 50-year-old girl – the tone shifts.”
Wan says that being a part of a marketing campaign which is debunking social guidelines about midlife vogue is “wonderful and it really feels prefer it’s making a distinction as a substitute of spoon-feeding folks what they need to and shouldn’t be carrying.”
For Wan, the phrase ‘midlife’ vogue is ineffectual – “We have to eliminate something that makes girls really feel dangerous about themselves. Phrases like ‘making an attempt too arduous’ or ‘dressing too younger’ – having to be ‘age-appropriate’. Don’t fear about trying younger. The purpose is to appear to be you.”
Having stepped into a brand new period of vogue, much less has modified in Wan’s method than he was prepped to consider. For him, midlife vogue is much less about guidelines and extra about rediscovering what brings you pleasure – “It is best to rejoice who you’re – put money into your self.
“Benefit from the journey of dressing and keep in mind, your physique is wonderful, your fashion is your individual and midlife is a time for pleasure, not compromise.”
JD Williams first named Wan as its model ambassador in August. He has since labored alongside its in-house crew to assist seasonal campaigns and magnificence shoots, provide ideas for purchasers, in addition to participating in interviews and model promoting.
For this newest marketing campaign, Wan has rigorously chosen a variety of gadgets alongside presenter Anna Richardson and singer Kelle Bryan to assist midlife girls in search of outfits to put on for social gathering season, with out sacrificing consolation.
Wan brings his signature experience to the edit, guaranteeing each bit is designed to flatter and rejoice various physique varieties.
With metallic materials, elegant clothes, and equipment that full the look, the brand new ‘Midlife Redefined Get together Edit’ is a real reflection of his understanding of actual girls’s vogue wants.
