As whisperer of style, Theodore Gilliam has established himself as a fashion jack of all trades. A muse, a designer, stylist, a poet, a cultural anthropologist, Theodore is known for exposing the world to innovative menswear such as LOVA and Corpus to name a few. From being the buyer of Vice Magazine's clothing boutiques, GM/Developer of Collage clothing boutique, sale representative for select clothing lines and a celebrity wardrobe stylist, Theodore has treaded water with the best of under exposed style and fashion. He is now pursing his own creative efforts in designing his personal collection, Thē Gilliam.
The principal aspect of my style
Individuality. I feel like I express myself with my clothing so that you are actually judging a book by its cover, so I want you to know who I am before you meet me. When it comes to clothing it is more of an art form than anything. I play and pay attention to detail and make myself feel the best as I can. I always want to represent the feeling of that day and how I feel in how I dress. Whatever you see with me is what you get and there are no lies.
The quality that I desire in a shoe.
The way a shoe looks in its first impression to me is key. Then I pay attention to the overall balance of shoe. I also always look at the inside of the shoe, in particular the outside of the inner ankle of the shoe— it has to have some curve. I don’t like pointy toes. For me, comfort is the last thing I care about. I can have bleeding feet for a great pair of shoe. Deal with it.
The quality that I desire in a bag.
The structure and the cleanliness---I am not too zipper happy. I like intelligence bags that are constructed well, and does not try to do too much. I like leather bags and I don’t do canvas. If it’s a soft leather bag, it must be super soft and strong. If it’s structured then it must have the utmost structure. Shape over stitching, bells and whistles
What inspires me most
My peers. Just seeing their characters inspires me. I have so many different friends of races, height, weight, sexuality and they are all over the world and they inspire me on how they see the world and how they see clothing. It allows me to see what they stand for and who they are in their own minds all via their clothing. When I see people that look the same—they are the same.
They wear their wardrobes as a personality uniform.
What I appreciate most about my closet.
That it represents me. It is very mobile. Because my residence is now in Belgium, and while its my last days in Los Angeles, I live out of bags, so I don’t have a closet per se. Either it’s the collection I'm working with or my personal wardrobe that travels with me at all times. As for pieces I can’t live without... I don’t have that, I can let go of it all–I can grow and change and my flexible style allows that. But for now, my closet treats me nice.
What is your dream purchase?
My no. 1 purchase is anything to make my mother stable (house, car etc) something that she's always liked, she plays the bass and I would to give a new bass, she loves jaguars and the color red and I would be happy to incorporate something that uses all three. Something for my sister Bethena she loves butterflies and anything to make her happy and give her a room where she can create something. A ring, I want for my man and then propose to him (Kenny Cupers). I would love to design it, it would have craziness of Bernhard Willhelm, the structure of Vivienne Westwood and it would also have the clean lines of Jil Sander.
What is your dream fashion purchase?
I have not spent money on myself in seven years; everything has been given to me…so I am very blessed. Right now I want some Jordans. In all seriousness, it would have to be some type of shoe but I’m not dying for anything right now. If I had to really pick though, it would be something that I create. I would love to try to work with Bernhard Willhelm and Walter Van Beirendonck and create dream pieces together. You can’t wear it to wear it, you have to wear it and be it.
Whose style do you admire?
Michael Jackson, because he wears whatever the (pretty word) he wants. Highwaters, glittery socks, draws outside his pants and you have to say: What, are you serious?
But hey, he makes himself know... He has the most famous pieces in fashion. If people don’t know that glittery glove, Thriller’s red leather jacket or the socks then they don’t know fashion. He’s a part of fashion history and culture. It’s a good message to dress how you are and not to dress who you aren’t. Prince circa 1980 changed the game with high waist-ed pants, ruffle shirts and high heels. We did not change him. His look said “I look like a broad but I’m sexy “ He was doing his thing!
The city where you live.
Brussels Belgium
Your favorite color.
Green: Mint Green, Kelly Green, Green is happy
The scent or perfume that I like
I hate cologne, I think I’m allergic
My favorite authors.
I am not a reader but I have read The Brothers Karamazov and it’s my favorite
My favorite stores.
First, my favorite store was Colette (old crush), it was exactly what’s up and their water bar is genius, ipods that play the cd that you can buy, the merchandising and visuals are amazing. They have everything in one little spot. Then I went Walter (Walter Van Beirendonck’s store) in Antwerp, Belgium, The layout is genius. It was basically what I was going for with Collage, but it had financing! Then I experienced Dover Street Market, to me has to be rated .00000001 on a scale of 1/10 of stores since its so before number 1. It’s the best store I’ve ever been to. It's like a fashion museum. My dream is to have my clothing represented by the store.
My heroes in fashion.
Walter Van Beirendonck store went bankrupt four times, so you know he’s doing it for the art. Elliott Hundley, he is the craziest and most wonderful person I've ever met. He’s humble and he is him. I respect how he goes about his art and his knowledge of fashion. And of course Michael Jackson, penny loafers and all.
My favorite music.
Michael Jackson, Man in the Mirror—is why I am who I am ; Lauryn Hill’s Unplugged Vol. 2 is the perfect album, Mos Def, Janet Jackson, Prince, Alphaeus Taylor , J Dilla, Jay-Z, Beyoncé, U2’s war, Kanye West, Radiohead’s in Rainbows; Otis Redding, James Brown and many more...
My heroes in real life.
My mother and my father. They are very inspirational to me. If I could step out of my own body and look at myself and see what they created, I would be in awe. I thank them for helping me because I am the weirdest person I know.
Whomever made me is inspirational, all my friends, family, co-workers and daily passer- byers. I’m made from all of you.
My style heroines in history.
Oprah, she went through them all... All styles, all shapes, all sizes.
But before that, The Supremes, with the glitters, beauty and hair.
Nina SImone, with her structured face and beauty bare skin. Lena Horne, really? The definition of pretty. Billie Holiday with the flowers in her hair, making a tough looking woman a feminine lady. And can't forget Patti Labelle, from Labelle to her solo, she has given a wide range of style. She was crazy and now she is just Patti.
My favorite designer
Walter Van Beirendonck, Berhnard Willhelm, Vivienne Westwood and Rei Kawakubo for Comme des Garcons
What I hate most of all in style.
Trends and how people gravitate to them and it becomes more about mass then originality. And Repeats like “lets bring the 80s back” boo that!
What is the city where you feel most at home
London because I live it up when I am there—every time I get off the plane I feel like I should be here more. I love the stores and I love the weather.
It’s a masculine Paris. Brussels because its quiet and I am with my boy and relaxed and do work and not bothered with the whoopla with no care in the world.
My present state of mind.
'Do you' state of mind. Be happy for me and not worry about others and create. Do good, do it and a stop bull(pretty word)—your excuses are up.
My style mantra
Theodore Ebony Jewel Gilliam.