Jelani Ford is a man that knows how to dress. With an appreciation for classic garments such as suits and ties, his easygoing attitude and Northern charm are the perfect accessories that help make his style effortless.
Name: Jelani S. Ford
Age: 26
Occupation: Credit Officer
Q. How would you describe your style?
Trendy and versatile. I like to have the ability to dress for any occasion, from casual and .JPG?resize=93%2C106)
relaxed to mature and professional.
Q. Who or what inspires your style?
I am inspired by the style of greats such as Diddy, T.I., Pharell Williams, Justin Timberlake and Will Smith. A mixture of styles from the Harlem Renaissance, the 1950’s and my father play a role in inspiring me as well.
Q. Where are your favorite places to shop for clothing and accessories?
Being from New York, I’ve had an advantage to buy clothing from different places with a wider selection of items. Specific stores here in Charlotte would range from Express Men, Banana Republic and Urban Outfitters.
Q. What fashion designers to you admire? .png)
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I admire any designer that creates an article of clothing that catches my eye. With that said, too many to name.
Q. Are you a shoe fanatic? If so how many pairs do you have?
Getting there… I like to invest in shoes/footwear that are classic and will last a lifetime. A good pair of shoes each year that are classic will contribute to a nice collection over time.
Q. What item in your wardrobe can’t you live without?
I would have to say my watches. A watch to me is a finishing touch. It defines punctuality, maturity and organization, which are all very key to me. A watch is an essential piece to an outfit.
Q. What’s your latest fashion obsession?
My latest obsession is suits. A suit can take a man a very long way and can be very versatile. A suit can be worn casually, professionally, semi-formal and for special occasions. I have this obsession because the more of a selection of suits the more options to help prepare for different outings/events.
Q. What grooming products do you use?
Not having facial hair allows me to keep my grooming basic. I stick to over-the-counter facial cleansers, hygiene products and a wide variety of colognes.
Q. What’s your favorite cologne?
L’Homme by Yves Saint Laurent
Q. Do you think people are born with style or is style something that’s learned?
I think that style is derived from one’s personality. This is because two people can have on the same outfit, but an individual’s presentation and vibe makes the difference. I would say it is a combination of both, because I learn and come up with new ideas everyday.
Q. Name one style rule that you never break.
In my book there are no rules, just things that you should know not to do. For example, wearing athletic socks with a suit
Q. Style advice to others:
Know thyself, stay true to thyself, then dress thyself. Very often images are seen and then tried. However, what works for one doesn’t work for everyone… Know yourself.
