Fictional Style Hero: Julian Kaye
Dissecting the style of one of menswear's greatest icons
Words by Peter Minkoff
Illustrations by Zack Huffman
There is no need to talk in-depth about the importance of the American Gigolo. This crime drama was an extraordinary success and it will remain recognized as not only an excellent film, but also as the one that skyrocketed Richard Gere into the group of the most notable Hollywood stars. Let us not forget that this revolutionary project also gained much attention as it revolved around a high-end male escort and it was one of the first films in Hollywood to include scenes of frontal male nudity. And these are not the only things that the protagonist, Julian Kaye portrayed by Richard Gere, is well-known for; he was and still is, highly praised for his impeccable fashion style.
His luxurious, yet nonchalant outfits are well coordinated with his personality: confident, charming, and (almost) fearless. The man we can thank for the majority of these iconic outfits is the, now well-known and highly-esteemed, Giorgio Armani.
However, forty years ago, when the American Gigolo first came out, this Italian designer was still making his way into the world of luxury fashion, and his success, similarly to Gere’s, was highly sparked by this film. Moreover, although four decades have passed, Julian Kaye remains a style hero whose fashion sense can easily be adjusted to the present era.
THE POWER OF THE SUIT
Julian Kaye knows that looks do matter. That is why his wardrobe contains not one, but several elegant and formal suits. He opts to wear his mostly earthy-toned suits with classic white shirts, leaving the two upper buttons undone, signaling both his irresistible charm and confidence. On the other hand, to get a more business-appropriate look, Julian is choosing to wear a classic black suit matched with an obligatory accessory, a necktie. There is nothing over-the-top about these looks; it all revolves around profound and subtle elegance. To recreate such an alluring wardrobe in the present day, a stylish man needs at least a couple of sophisticated tailored suits that he can combine with shirts, but also cashmere turtlenecks. Go for crisp white shirts if you opt for a black or navy suit, and match a beige or grey suit with a dark-colored turtleneck to get a timeless look. In case you don’t feel like wearing a necktie, but you are attending a formal event, a classy bowtie is an accessory that Julian Kaye would certainly approve of.
THE POWER OF A LINEN JACKET
In the sunny LA, there is no much need for a leather jacket, so Gere’s character opts for the next best thing: a casual, linen jacket. It is perfect to wear over light shirts that once more come in highly neutral colors: beige, grey, white, or light blue. Combined with high-waisted trousers and a thin belt (another crucial accessory) this look tells a story for itself. It signals self-assurance and it tells that the man who wears it is not afraid to be dangerously attractive. Julian Kaye truly fits this description, as he does not need exaggeratedly formal, black and navy, fashion pieces to assert his status. Gentle, earthy tones and light materials, such as linen, are subtle enough not overshadow his personality, but on the contrary, they only compliment it. Such as casual look is timeless and thus, highly fashionable and suitable to be worn even today. A linen jacket can be nonchalantly thrown over the shoulder and worn with a cotton polo T-shirt, with two buttons undone. A man of style can pair these items with high-waisted linen trousers and loafers, to get a more masculine look. On the other hand, a pair of classic, light-wash jeans and a pair of impeccably clean white sneakers will make a chic, summer look.
HIGH RISE JEANS & OVERSIZED SUNGLASSES
Even in his most relaxed outfits, Julian Kaye is still a man of exquisite style. He opts to wear high-rise jeans that fit tight around his hips and have (then) popular, flared legs. This kind of jeans is not a classic pair, meant for the majority to wear. It is quite unique and bold and signals that the man who wears them, is not like everybody else. He wants to be seen and he wants every man to envy him and every woman to desire him. This is exactly what Kaye achieves by completing this look with casually rolled-up sleeves of his shirt and his jacket nonchalantly thrown over his shoulder. His charm and the mystery around him are only accentuated with a pair of oversized sunglasses. Truly, every man needs at least one pair of great sunglasses, such as the timeless Aviator ones. You can wear them with jeans that don’t necessarily have to be as statement as the one Richard Gere wore in the film. A pair of light-wash, high-rise jeans, with a straight leg, will look amazing with both a crisp white shirt or a monochromatic T-shirt. And don’t forget about the brown, leather shoes that will add that profound Italian fashion vibe to any look.
Finally, powerful and subtle at the same time is how Julian Kaye’s style could be described. Designed by the fantastic Giorgio Armani, his outfits could easily be worn forty years later, radiating the same allure and nonchalance.