Skip to main content
  1. Home
  2. Fashion & Style

The Manual may earn a commission when you buy through links on our site.

Worn Out Wednesday – Luke Flynn

By

Today we speak to graphic designer and pin maker Luke Flynn:

I am originally from Australia, by the beach south of Sydney. I studied design at UTS in Sydney and eventually found myself in London on an exchange program at Central Saint Martins.

Recommended Videos

Because Australia is so damn far from everywhere, I used the time to travel all over. My friend and I would just pack a bag and leave on the weekends to snowboard or party in Paris or Amsterdam etc. I would also use any excuse to visit my brother Andrew in New York City. I fell in love with this place and haven’t left since. It helped that my brother runs nightclubs and is always up for a good time. He is currently part of the team at Up & Down and opening a new restaurant called La Barbona, so those good times haven’t exactly slowed down.

I still try and get home to Australia as much as possible, usually for Christmas when all my friends and family are on holiday and enjoying themselves, surfing, fishing, playing cricket and bbqing all day. I was spoiled growing up by the ocean and I miss it, so these days I find myself leaving town most weekends to a friend’s place trying to get the same fix from a jump off a waterfall, or a surf trip when the waves are good.

When I first moved to New York, I naively thought that the Sagmeisters and Pentagrams (design firms) of the world would just open the door and let me be the designer I thought I was. Unfortunately, my $2k savings turned quickly to bar backing and bartending. I wasn’t at my most productive, but working that late and in that industry gives you a certain access to the city and meeting interesting people albeit mainly through debaucherous experiences.

I eventually found my feet in design working freelance under firstandlastdesign and was working for some great humans like Jon Santos from Common Space and Adam Katz at Imprint Projects. Most recently I was the Art Director and designer at Saturdays NYC under the amazing Colin Tunstall.

I am currently starting my own studio called Paradise with three other partners. It is a full service agency with a focus on digital, we have a cool space downtown and some exciting new projects (fashion included) that I can’t actually tell you about … but stay tuned.

I can tell you I have a company making pins called Prize Pins, which has been a fun, creative outlet for me and my friend Kym Naimo. We both had a slight online shopping addiction at work (including vintage pins), and whenever they arrived Kym would say his prize had arrived. I have always done little weird drawings and Kym saw a few of my drawings so one day over a beer we were like, “we should do it; we should make our own pins.” It is now growing and taking shape in a really nice way. It’s a cool creative outlet and people seem to be responding really well. We like to call our pins garment spice. We are also starting to collaborate with artists, which is something I have always wanted to do. They definitely have a humor to them but are adamant about our limited editions, quality and making them here in New York.

As for Luke’s personal style:

Jeans: Luke Denim by Saturdays NYC. I have a few pairs in different stages of wear.

What a great name.

Shirts: Uniqlo. I like plain colors, and it fits big dudes.

Pants: My favorite pants are from Dunderdon, which sadly shut down, but these things wont give up on me.

Suits: Acne and Sartorio

Shoes: Vans, Nike Frees, Saturdays, Common Projects, RM Williams

Accessories: I have worn the same signet pinky ring since I was about 18. I wear the odd Timex or army watch from MWC (military watch company). I also switch between Persol glasses and Salt Optical.

Outerwear: Barbour wax coat in the rain, Saturdays Jeremiah is a staple and a NorthFace down jacket for when it’s too cold to even try anything else.

Favorite Cologne: Cool-Water by Davidoff…yes Cool Water by Davidoff

Your favorite App: I currently have a new addiction to instagram due to @prizepins

Favorite piece of technology: Airplanes. They get a bad wrap, but they have personal entertainment on long distance flights that I secretly love, and people will just bring you food and drinks while you catch up on terrible movies. Oh, and they can fly through the air.

Next tech purchase: Just got a new MacbookPro and a NEC PA241W monitor.

Cator Sparks
Cator Sparks
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Cator Sparks was the Editor-in-Chief of The Manual from its launch in 2012 until 2018. Previously, Cator was covering…
Accutron DNA series: A modern twist on a legendary watch brand
A closer look at Accutron DNA's sleek designs and innovative features
Accutron DNA series

If you’re familiar with the Accutron watch brand, you already know about their rich history — not just in innovation, but in style. They introduced the first fully electronic watch in 1960. Throughout the 1960s, their mechanisms were used to keep time in U.S. satellites and on various NASA space missions, paving the way for the modern era of electronic and quartz timekeeping. And the brand has continued to release modern watches inspired by their rich heritage.
Design and aesthetics

Accutron continues that tradition with the Accutron DNA series, having introduced four new colors in July 2024: green, blue, orange, and red. We had the opportunity to experience the red model firsthand. Each version of the DNA line offers distinct accent combinations, adding to their individuality. While the case is stainless steel on all models, the finish and tone differ based on the chosen strap.

Read more
Vacheron Constantin marks 270 years with the steel Historiques 222
A stylish steel watch pays tribute to Vacheron
Vacheron Constantin Historiques 222

To celebrate its 270th anniversary and usher in the new year, Vacheron unveiled a steel variant of the Historiques 222, a watch that dates back to 1977.

The original Historiques 222, the brainchild of Jorg Hysek, was rolled out with a pioneering design. Most watches had a sports-like look in the '70s, but the Historiques 222 changed all that, bridging two worlds with a formal and casual design. It featured an integrated bracelet and a case topped by a fluted bezel and stamped with a Maltese cross at 5 o'clock. It also featured an ultra-thin Calibre 1120 and measured 3.05 mm, making it the world’s thinnest full-rotor automatic movement at the time.

Read more
Get ready for a new JJJJound and New Balance collaboration
JJJJound New Balance product photo

There’s no doubt that JJJJound and New Balance are some of the footwear industry’s most established partnerships. With a series of collaborative sneakers behind them, it’s a consistent pairing you can always count on. For fans of New Balance and JJJJound, these designs allow counting on a versatile and stylish subdued sneaker. Even though they’re collaborative shoes, these sneakers are far from just collector's items. A staple shoe in any wardrobe, the JJJJound x New Balance partnership continues to impress. In their newest drop, the two brands are working together on another retro design that will certainly become a must-have sneaker for the year. 
JJJJound x New Balance 993 in Mushroom/White

As part of one of two new designs set to be released by JJJJound x New Balance, the 993 in Mushroom/White design is a classic shoe to have in your wardrobe for 2025. Crafted with brown and grey mesh and suede uppers, this earth-toned shoe is a lowkey design that prefers versatility over flashiness. Adding a touch of flair is JJJJound’s simple branding placed along the heel and sockliner. Along with the co-branded packaging, the shoe will arrive with a second pair of laces in black that can add another hue to your look. Along with the Mushroom/White hue, the two are set to release a brown and black counterpart later. Those looking to amplify their closet with a versatile pair can purchase the Mushroom/White combination starting January 16 via JJJJound’s web store. On January 17, users can also access the sneaker via New Balance’s website.

Read more