#ALDO40: John Jannuzzi

Alexander Liang | October 9, 2012 | 0 Comments

If you’re familiar with the fashion industry’s menswear crowd, you know the name John Jannuzzi. He’s garnered quite a following with his blog TEXTBOOK, where he merges style with history and literature. John is also a Contributing Digital Editor at Lucky Magazine, constantly innovating in the world of social media.

KENTON magazine: What do you do for a living and how long have you been in your current position? Do you think your career affects your sartorial choices?

John Jannuzzi: I’ve been an editor at a fashion magazine for about a year and half now. Fortunately, our office is very casual so I can wear pretty much whatever I’m comfortable in usually chinos and a button-up. Of course, fashion people have to dress like fashion people so I try to dress like a fashion person.

KENTON: How would you describe your personal style?
John: I keep it real simple; I’m not one to show off with something crazy. I’ve got a pretty strict uniform that my colleagues call “The Jannuzziform”, which is usually a pair of chinos and a button-up, don’t have time for any peacocking.

KENTON: Was there ever a defining moment in your life that helped shape your personal style?
John: Not one moment exactly, it’s just more of a series of things I suppose. You pick up inspiration from your surroundings and everything informs your style down the line. If I had to choose one though, it would probably be when I moved to New York. The environment here leaves you almost no choice but develop a style, particularly if you’re working in the fashion industry.

KENTON: How has your style evolved throughout your life – through elementary school, to high school, college etc.?
John: My younger years were fairly bleak in terms of style. I spent most of high school in slouchy faded jeans and hoodies. That slowly phased out during college where I got darker slouchy jeans and paid a little more attention to what I was wearing. When I moved to New York after graduation, my style was forced to “grow up” a little. Being an adult, having a job, having disposable income and living in a city that demands you pay attention to your style certainly shakes things up a little bit.

KENTON: Where do you currently live and how long have you lived there? How much does ‘place’ play a part in how you dress?
John: I’ve lived in New York since 2007 and it plays a huge part in how I dress. There’s inspiration wherever you go and although I’m fairly set in my ways, there are always people that surprise me. You’ll see somebody on the street wearing something in a way you’d never think of and you can try and put your own spin on it. That’s really the better part of New York style, not the people who dress to impress somebody but the people that don’t really care what that somebody would think. Not that I’m about to start wearing crazy feathered shirts, but you get the idea.

KENTON: Who inspires you in fashion and style?
John: My peers are usually the first source of inspiration, and I’m fortunate that most of them are really in tune with what’s going on in that world. Other than that, I think Jack Kerouac had some of the best style around.

The FIVE

THE WHO: Who inspires you in fashion and style?
My friends and Jack Kerouac.

THE RULES: What are your three rules of style for yourself?
1. Always be comfortable.
2. Invest in well-made and long lasting clothes.
3. Don’t wear ties without tucking in your shirt. The first time I saw somebody do this I thought to myself, “Never.”

THE MUST: What one piece in your wardrobe can you not live without and why?
My grandfather gave me a vintage Vicuña fur coat when I was in high school, it’s light, soft and extremely warm. The fur is short so it’s not too ostentatious and all the original tags are inside, definitely the most unique and valuable piece I own—mostly because it’s an heirloom, I have absolutely no idea what it’s worth.

THE BEATS: What kind of music do you like? Any great memories when music played a part?
I like rock music mostly, stuff from the ‘60s and ‘70s and a few newer bands. I don’t have many memories tied directly to music, but I always love those moments when you’re having a kind of down day and the right song comes on your iPod and suddenly your whole perception changes. At this very moment, I’m listening to “The King and All His Men” by Wolf Gang. Get it, it’s good.

THE EATS: What kind of food do you like to eat? Favorite restaurants in your city that you frequent often?
Italian food is my go-to. I’ll never turn down a pizza or a bowl of pasta or some chicken Milanese. Obviously, there’s no shortage of Italian food in New York City, but there’s a good spot, Emporio, around the corner from my house and my friends and I usually congregate there before binge eating.

Check out John in his ALDO Mr. B’s shoes in this video he created below!