Today we speak to Dan Mazzarini, partner in BHDM designs.
I have lived in New York for 12 years, but I consider myself “Midwestern at heart” having grown up in Chicago and Pittsburgh. I’m used to cold winters and my style has been heavily influenced by the need to layer and be warm! (hence my penchant for coats).
I started my career in the fashion world, designing shops for brands such as Michael Kors, Ralph Lauren, Narciso Rodriguez and Calvin Klein, so I was always surrounded with the beauty and inspiration of fashion.
Balancing luxury and practicality is always a big part of my job; our projects strive to blend beauty, comfort and function. I suppose the same methodology translates into my personal style: I’m on the move a lot so I need to be comfortable, but it’s just as important to be polished and stylish too!
My business partner and I are both alumni of Ralph Lauren and share a love for the relaxed, modern American vibe. Since launching our firm BHDM, we’ve expand our portfolio to include fashionable hospitality projects, residential projects and commercial work as well (The Lion and Omars in New York, LORDS Hotel South Beach, as well as work for Morgans Hotel Group, to name a few). We now have projects in the works in cities around the world, which keeps us on our toes, in transit and usually in a pair of New Balance, just to help in all of that running around.
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As for my personal style:
Jeans: When it comes to jeans, I’m a firm believer you need to buy what fits and ignore brands or labels. For me, I wear GAP skinny fit jeans in black, white and Japanese selvage.
Shirts: J.Crew pocket t’s, and Ralph Lauren custom fit oxford button downs. Usually in blue or white.
Pants: Club Monaco – their pants have a great European fit to them: good for us skinny guys.
Suits: I rarely wear a suit, but I like skinny classics, like Club Monaco and Ralph Lauren Black Label. I also have some blazers from this little shop Behavior in NYC – they have a great selection of interesting small brands you can’t find elsewhere.
Shoes: ALL OF THEM. Shoes are all about the shape of the toe for me: I’m pretty picky about this. Prada loafers, Cole Haan lace ups, Gucci and A. Testoni tassel loafers. That said, I took a cue from Michael Kors, and have been wearing these black and neon New Balance almost every day. Stylish and good for running around town.
Accessories: I like classics: I have an Hermes watch I bought myself when we signed our first big project. The saddle leather and easy details go with everything and can be dressed up or down. I also like a bracelet, usually worn on the same arm as a watch: braided leather and Navajo silver are favorites.
Outerwear: Friends laugh that I have so many winter coats! I must have 40 of them. My perspective is that a coat is what most people see you in, most of the year – so I like to mix up my coat look the way I would other clothing. Favorites are a black and charcoal buffalo pea coat from Japan, a maroon double-breasted from Club Monaco and my leather motorcycle jackets from Ralph Lauren.
Favorite Cologne: On me: French fragrances – Iunx “Eau de Sento” from the Hotel Costes fragrance shop in Paris. I also love Dyptique “Tam Dao”. On others – I love a Comme de Garcon fragrance. I just complimented a friend on their fragrance the other day and it was a Garcon: that happens a lot.
Your favorite App: I’m so not a technology person, but I do love Instagram. And iTrans NYC, which tells you when subways are coming.
Favorite piece of technology: Out of necessity, my iPhone. And out of necessity, my electric wine bottle opener.
Next tech purchase: Macbook Air – the gold one. Or, a laser tape measurer.
