Do you remember when you were young and you would get in trouble for saying something, and you’d be like “what’d I say?” and some adult would fire back “It’s not what you said, it’s how you said it!!!”
In those instances they were referring to your attitude, which in the moment elevated you from child to certified bad boy! And as we all know chicks dig bad boys.
Well that concept has somewhat translated to fashion by way of Johnny Li founder of the men’s wear brand Dappertude. Dapper style for men with a little attitude. In fact you could say: it’s not what you wear but how you wear it…sort of…well I guess in this case it IS about what you wear. Because Dappertude sells men’s accessories and they have some pretty great items…this line of thought is kind of unraveling…QUICK!!! CUT TO THE INTERVIEW! What do you mean I’m being mean? All I said was, cut to the interview. What do you mean it’s not WHAT I said?….Oh OH! I get it. Well played.
I always like to start with the name…so how did you come up with the name Dappertude?
There isn’t much story behind how I thought of Dappertude, I wanted a unique name for my business which had the word Dapper in it and also meant something. After a while of brainstorming, I came to the conclusion of Dapper Attitude, motto: dress so that you have the Dapper Attitude. I noticed that it was a long name so I shortened it to DAPPERTUDE.
What inspired you to start up Dappertude?
It all started when I was working on Hong Kong, I was shopping on day discovered the so called pocket square, at first I didn’t wear it a lot but after getting compliments from friends and strangers, I started buying more and more. When I came back to Sydney I noticed that people were wearing suits without the pocket square and I even asked a stranger (who was looking really dapper) why he didn’t wear a pocket square, he just replied “ I don’t know where to get them from.” That’s when it hit me to start DAPPERTUDE.
You’re based in Sydney, Australia, but you have quite a following in the US as well. What’s it like serving customers from all over the world?
It’s fantastic to see that the dapper style isn’t just 1 country’s style but a style that is universal.
Since you are based in Australia, perhaps you can settle an argument for me…who is more dreamy, Hugh Jackman or Chris Hemsworth…AHEM, I mean…who wins in a fight, Thor or Wolverine?
Definitely Thor will win with his crazy hammer and the more dreamy one would have to be Hugh.
Your product selection includes both lapel pins and pocket squares, what’s more popular with your customers right now?
To be honest, right now the popularity between the both is 50/50. Some people only like pocket squares while some people love the lapel pins.
For your limited edition pocket squares, you teamed up with The Bespoke Corner tailors, tell us about that collaboration.
It just started off with a chat and then I blinked an eye and “hay its ready.” It was so quick but a great collaboration.
Okay, if you can only wear one or the other, for the rest of your life, do you keep lapel pins or pocket squares?
I’m sorry lapel pins but the pocket squares has been beside me since the beginning, its time to part ways.
Your lapel pins are divided into the Monday, Friday and Sunday collections…so which one are you?
Like any other Aussie, I’m definitely a Friday person. J Fridays are the best days of the week!
What’s cuter, a baby Kangaroo or a baby Koala bear?
They are both cute, very cute.
I love Crocodile Dundee!! I mean I LOVE that movie! Wally, Nugget and Donk! But how do the Australian people feel about Mick Dundee? Is he beloved like he is here? And when I say “here,” I am pointing to my heart.
I’m not sure about the rest of Australia but I certainly loved Dundee, its unfortunate that kids these days wouldn’t have a clue who he is… which is a shame because they won’t know that “The funnel web spider can kill a man in eight seconds, just by lookin’ at him.”
Is there anything you’re not currently selling that you would like to see Dappertude carry in the future?
There is a big list of things which I would love to see Dappertude carry in the future. Ranging from cravats and cufflinks to bespoke tailoring of suits, shirts and even shoes. Anything that will bring out the Dapper Attitude in a gentleman.
And now Five Signature Questions with Christian:
Who is your Favorite Superhero or Villain?
Saitama from One Punch Man
Who wins in a fight Batman or Superman?
Superman all the way… he’s like invincible….unless batman has kryptonite in his belt… then it’s Batman.
Which Star Wars Character would you be?
I would probably want to be R2-D2….*Big Grin*
What’s your Favorite cereal of all time?
Crunchy Nut!! I could eat this for breaky, lunch and dinner.
Are your dirty clothes on the floor or in the hamper, right now?
Definitely in the hamper, you can’t be dapper without clean clothes.