HOW PUNK ERA SHAPED ACCOUNTANT’S SENSE OF STYLE
An accountant describes his personal style: Aging rock ’n’ roll star, European, colourful, dark, punk ...
Profiling Calgarians with a flair for fashion
Never judge a book by its cover. Or in this case, a man by his vocation.
Garry Mushens is an accountant by profession. A partner at Ptarmigan Oil and Gas Accounting Ltd., providing production accounting to small and junior oil and gas companies.
Having grown up in Scotland, he believes that his cultural environment and deep interest in music and the arts have come to define his current style. “I was 18 in 1978. “The height of the punk movement in Britain was 1978. I don’t think I ever was a punk in the fashion sense, but the attitude I know well. What I wear is because of who I am; it pervades every part of my life,” explains Mushens.
“I dress for no one but myself, but I always dress for the occasion,” he continues. “I walk into a meeting and people see me as being different, yet I am the one wearing a suit and tie — others are wearing chinos and golf shirts!”
Rest assured, Mushens’ suit will most likely be a colourful Paul Smith number paired with bright accessories, including patterned socks.
His hair is always different — often he has a streak of blue, red or purple and he’s rarely without a bag (yes, one might call it a murse). “Where do other men put their stuff?” asks Mushens.
“I am sure that most people do not know what to think of my attire,” Mushens says. “I could dress ‘corporate’ but then I would be wearing a costume. It’s just who I am. Like David Bowie once said, ‘If I wanted to shock people, I would have thought more about it.’ ”
Here is Garry Mushens’ colourful take on fashion and style:
Q: How would you define your personal style?
A: An aging rock ’n’ roll star, chameleon, European, colourful, dark, punk, industrial, often wrong, with humour.
Q: What is the most prized possession in your closet?
A: Either my latest purchase or the jacket that has a $20 bill in the pocket that I forgot about. The value in my closet depends on the look I want. Though a handknit sweater and a kilt that were specifically made for me hold a special place because of the craft involved.
Q: Who makes your favourite suit?
A: I love suits — Paul Smith, Vivienne Westwood and Dries van Noten fit me straight off the peg if I buy the European cuts. I would love to have a Timothy Everest — bespoke suit made for me.
Q: Who makes your favourite footwear?
A: My current favourite shoes are made by Dutch designer, Hester van Eeghen. There are also a couple of French shoe companies, Adieu and Heschung that I really like. Both Fluevog and Dr. Martens have some great styles at sensible prices.
Q: What is your favourite brand of jeans?
A: To me, jeans signal laziness. Of course, I am often lazy. My favourite pair of jeans is an off-white pair by Alexander McQueen.
Q: Would you say your closet is streamlined?
A; Yes, streamlined into a pile so that whatever I want is completely hidden. I try to keep it tidy, but I need a larger closet!
Q: How often do you purge your closet?
A: Constantly. If it’s past its best — it goes. I refuse to say, “When it doesn’t fit” but that may have also happened.
Q: What is your greatest extravagance?
A: My greatest extravagance is the $15 T-shirt I buy and have never worn compared to the $1,200 studded Burberry raincoat that I have worn for years and still love every time I wear it.
Q: What coveted item is now on your must-have list?
A: A red and blue plaid Vivienne Westwood suit from her 2013/14 line. A baggy French beret and a Burberry small leather duffel from the Spring-summer 2014 line.
Q: Is there a health or beauty product you can’t live without?
A: I suppose my gym membership (Heavens) and actually go- ing there is something I can’t live without or at least live without and still fit in my clothes! Q: Who is your hairstylist? A: Claudette Coutts at the downtown Angles. She used to be on the Wella colour team for North America.
Q: Do you have a signature scent?
A: I do like Jill Sander for men; however I can only get it in Europe.
Q: What are your favourite shops in Calgary?
A: Leo Boutique, Priape (for underwear), A Vintage Affair (for women) and Rogue (for urban cycle wear). Q: Do you shop online? A: Of course, but I really prefer finding an independent store, speaking with the owner and being inspired by their enthusiasm and ideas. I shop constantly (shopping to me is gathering data), but rarely spend any actual time shopping. By the time I enter a shop or online store, I have something specific in mind.
Q: What are your favourite sites?
A: The European online stores like luisaviaroma.com are relevant, super-fast and have a great return policy. I also order from ssense.com and individual designers.
Q: Brew or buy? What’s your coffee stop of choice?
A: Phil & Sebastian in Marda Loop. Cappuccino to go — in my own ceramic cup.
Q: What are your favourite restaurants?
A: Candela Lounge, Taste and Avec Bistro. I eat out a lot. I do have simpler favourites like Little Lebanon, Village Pita Bakery, Brulee Bakery, Holy Grill, Yann Haute Patisserie and L’Epicerie. For brunch, River Café — devastated by the flooding — they will persevere!