What I Wear to Work: Architects Dominic and Chris Leong text each other to avoid dressing alike
37 and 39, founding partners, Leong Leong, New York
As architects, you’ve imagined the look of a lot of designers’ stores. Is dressing for fashion people stressful? Chris: It’s all about the shoes and the hair. Keep it simple in between—don’t over-fashion yourself.
Why focus on footwear?
Chris: People always look at your shoes. I have a pair of standard Jil Sander boots. Basic, but quality, is the key. Do you two have a strategy for varying your looks in the office? Dominic: We actually have to consciously not buy and wear the same clothes. Chris: We call or text each other in the morning.
The first time you meet potential fashion clients, do you wear their clothes?
Dominic: No, it’s too much. I try to wear relatively nondescript stuff, so a designer can’t be like, “You’re wearing so-and-so.” I’m sort of working toward a uniform.
What uniform?
Dominic: I’d love to wear a white T-shirt every day. Maybe, eventually, I’ll get to the point where I have a stack of T-shirts and five pairs of the same pants.
Chris: I’m also trying to work toward something pretty reductive. In architecture, it’s about being able to show up to a meeting at any point in the day—and also being in the office working on stuff till 3 in the morning.
Some people feel more focused when dressed up.
Dominic: It depends what you’re doing. A lot of times, design is about relaxing and searching for possibilities. And being loose enough to do that—you have to be comfortable.