The Modern Gentleman With Jimmy Choo: Mr. JJ.Acuna

Jimmy Choo is back with another edition of The Modern Gentleman, this time focusing on JJ.Acuna, founder of staple curation blog theWanderLister+. Originally from Texas, JJ received his architectural education in New York and has since moved to Hong Kong to pursue his passions and start his site, which is now a go-to platform for fashion news along with detailed overviews of shops, openings, exhibitions, and even restaurants. His impeccable sense of sophistication and style sets him apart in a city of over seven million people, but his apparent influence over Asia and other international cities can be felt as well.

For this issue of The Modern Gentleman, JJ teaches us what it is to be a gentleman, with very straightforward answers to common questions and debunks common misconceptions about what to wear, how to act, proper ways of thinking, and so much more. With a bit of complexity, he also delves deeper into how his education in architecture helps shape who he is today, and even touches upon the philosophy of how interior design can be honed into detail rather than thinking on a larger scale. Check out the interview and be sure to take some notes – there’s a lot to learn here.

What’s your definition of a modern gentleman?
I think a modern gentleman is representative of an old world philosophy of how a man should act in the world, but within what’s appropriate for our times. While not really something related to gender, a gentleman should always place people first, whether it be their elders, or co-workers, family members, and loved ones. You do this with a simple gesture of opening a door and following their lead, helping them cross the street, or asking them what they would need or like to order at a restaurant or bar. It’s really the simple things of gratitude and affection that make the biggest impact, and which automatically puts any man in that “gentleman” category.

What article of clothing should every gentleman own and why?
Every gentleman should have a good tailored or made-to-measure jacket or, even better, a tailored suit. I’m not talking about a business jacket, I’m talking about a kind of all-around blazer that one can wear over Sunday brunch or a semi-serious business gathering. Ill fitting off-the-rack jackets are such a turn off in so many ways. A best-fit jacket should give any man a boost of confidence they need.

What would you say is footwear for a modern gentleman?
A good pair of low-heeled leather brogues with laces for the weekday and a nice pair of hi-top fashion sneakers that one can wear at a sports game or a club are good to have in the collection. Both shoes should come in neutral colors like black, brown, or white will go with almost any look. Jimmy Choo for men makes very nice versions of both. You can see it in the photographs for our shoot.

What’s your favorite activity to do in your pastime?
Whenever I get free time, I love to travel in Asia. I’m in love with Asia. It’s great that I live in Hong Kong because everything is a hop and skip away. The best food, the best galleries, museums, shopping, market life, and beaches, are all around us in Asia. I capture everything with my camera and I love to write about what I see.

How has your background in architecture and interior designer influenced your personal style?
Most architects tend to stick to basic black when they dress. I’m the other kind that is quite playful with the way I look. As a practitioner in a creative environment I’m thankful that I work in an industry that expects me to have a creative point-of-view, which extends to what I wear on a day-to-day basis. Obviously I have to maintain my professional attitude to dressing, but I always tend to add a bit of flair, pattern, or color here and there.

There’s a number of famous fashion designers with a background in architecture or interior design, what would you attribute that to?
Architecture and interior design education tends to mostly be a study on different ways to find and then construct form. Before colors, we are expected to work with lines, shapes, textures, and eventually draping a building with some kind of façade form. This study indirectly relates to how the human body can be draped as well, how movement is structured, how a body is to be propped up or presented. Sometimes those who study Architecture have stopped being interested in the design of large scale building projects and have refocused their interests on how a human gets sheltered, whether it be a house, a room, a car, or a dress.

Since you were raised in Texas, do you ever incorporate the sensibilities of the American South into your daily outfit? If so, can you tell us how and why?
Even though I’ve lived in Hong Kong for almost a decade, I have to say, I haven’t shaken off the American in the way I dress. Additionally I go to the gym frequently and I love fried chicken and waffles, so my body type is quite boxy, which is fine. From time to time I love wearing jeans or khakis with sneakers and with a white oxford shirt, a relaxed blazer, a crumpled pocket square and 1950s-style retro sunnies, then I’m good to go for that weekend trip. The whole thing is a very unstructured and relaxed American approach to dressing. It’s easy to keep cuts and fits loose, while everything still looking tailored, well proportioned, and “menswear” because of all the elements that make one look. Additionally, I do have a pair of boots from Texas that I do wear from time to time!

Check out JJ.Acuna’s Instagram page @thewanderlister and be sure to keep up to date with Jimmy Choo and the Fall/Winter 2015 collection releasing soon.