PICTURE: #1 IN SEVEN ACTS 

Now a New Yorker, Douglas Keisler was born to Austrian parents. Sent to London, at age five, he’d spend his formative years there, which informs his present sensibilities in so many ways.

His chief business is in the property market where he buys and sells choice apartments and larger properties as well. For example, “Douglas began his real estate career at the age of 18 when he bought his first apartment in Tudor City. At that time it was a rental apartment being converted to a Co-op and Douglas recognized an opportunity when he saw one. Lacking sufficient funds for the down payment, he borrowed money against his student loan. He also did a mailing to over 1000 tenants in Tudor City asking if they wanted to sell their insider right to purchase. After acquiring 13 units in Tudor City and mastering the process, Douglas moved on to buying more conversion apartments including the famous Ansonia and later expanded to purchases in Paris and most recently Williamsburg.”

He studied at Central Saint Martins, London and  did considerable work as a model for designers such as Thierry Mugler and Claude Montana in Paris, in addition to print ad campaign for D&G. He has a particular sartorial viewpoint—quotations between Rock ‘n’ Roll, Saville Row elegant restrain and garnished with the impishness of New Romantic revival.

In his spare time, he enjoys attending art gallery openings, auctions, charity events and other philanthropic functions, fashion week, good conversation and vegan food.

In the course of the next seven days days, frequent theCHIC INDEX to experience Mr. Douglas Keisler heady sartorial interventions, as it were. The perfect equilibrium of style is the interface between individualism and the temperament. This is so true of Douglas!

Thank you,

Iké  Udé /November 13th.
Interview/Photography
www.ikeude.com

the interview:

NAME:
DOUGLAS KEISLER

Age:
N/A

Astrological Sign:
Cancer

Profession:
Bon vivant, philanthropist, editor, designer and property investor

Residence:
New York London and Paris

Favorite color:
Red

Favorite Fashion Designer:
Alexander Mcqueen

Favorite Shoe/Accessories Designer:
My Chelsea boot maker in east London

Favorite Parfum:
Natural odeur

Favorite Stylish Film:
Butterfield 8

Favorite Hangout:
The Getty museum at sunset and the Griffith observatory on a full moon.

Favorite Place/s:
Airports’ international departure lounge

Favorite Cocktail:
Bubbly whilst swimming

Who is your style icon?
Vivienne Westwood

What item of clothing would you rather starve for? 
Shoes

What is your overall impression of how people dress in general?
Not well

And what do you recommend that they do otherwise?
Be individualistic

 PART II.

PICTURE: #1 IN SEVEN ACTS

SPECIAL GUEST INTERVIEW:
DOUGLAS KEISLER TALKS ABOUT HIS 1ST OUTFIT

What items did you use to compose this particular outfit?
Trousers from a tuxedo that I designed myself and had made in London
Paul Smith zebra pony hair boots
vintage red black and white polka dot shirt
red and black jumper dotted suit jacket
question mark pocket square and
chapeau with feathers accessorized by custom designed jewelry by Adam Moore

How did you find the various items that you are wearing?
Mostly vintage finds from London

Did you compose this outfit spontaneously or was it planned ahead of time? 
Mix of textures and patterns within similar colour palette

Where do you normally shop for clothes and accessories?
Trolling vintage shops and markets and soldes presse/ sample sales and the occasional custom made item as a treat

How much role does money or the lack thereof play in one’s endeavor to dress very smart or beautifully? Anyone can endeavor to buy expensive clothes but it takes true sense of style and an eye to put together a look, which needn’t be costly.

What special recommendation would give somebody who admires your style but don’t know where or how start?
Be comfortable in your own skin, experiment and look for mint condition vintage and one of a kind pieces or make something yourself

Name six famous personages—past or present—who you would invite over for dinner/drinks because of their impeccable individualistic elegance?”
(Only six?) Marlene Dietrich,
Lauren Hutton
Catherine Deneuve
Gloria Swanson
Lenny Kravitz
Greta Garbo
Rita Hayworth
Grace Jones

As a result of your style, what is your impression of how you are generally perceived in public?
Unapproachable and intimidating

And how would rather the public perceive you?
Chat me up I do not bite unless provoked

Presently, what do you think accounts for the poor appearances in how people generally dress or don’t dress?
Everything is too casual—jeans and t-shirts, no individuality, no colour, no style or attention to detail.

In retrospect have you ever worn something that you now find particularly regrettable?
An all purple ensemble to an Ivy League only party at the Harvard Club

In the end, do you dress to: (a.) please others, (b.) please yourself or (c.) hopefully be in agreement with everybody?
To please myself and spark others imaginations.