5 minutes with Paul Mason, the ‘Fashion Santa’
With his bright red Harley-Davidson parked outside the Georgetown Ritz-Carlton, Santa struck his best pose as guests lined up for a photo on Dec. 1.
Canadian model Paul Mason has become a viral sensation after creating “Fashion Santa” — an elegant, modern twist on Old Saint Nick’s jolly image.
The night, which raised money for the D.C. Humane Rescue Alliance, could best be described as Christmas-meets-club. Guests, dressed in trendy festive attire, sipped on cocktails and milled around the room as a DJ bumped techno music.
We grabbed Mason between shots to get the dish on all things fashion and Father Christmas. Q: Tell us about this outfit. A: The outfit (corduroy suit from Michel’s Bespoke) was specially made for the RitzCarlton Georgetown, because the way I’m trying to brand this is he’s an elegant guy … I wanted to do something a little bit different.
Q: Where did the concept of “Fashion Santa” come from? Certainly not the South Pole.
A: (After) 30 years of modelling, 14 of those in New York City, my mother was getting ill and I had to go back home to Toronto. Sadly she passed and I stopped shaving. That’s how I got the beard. I think her spirit lives within this character. I thought why not make a character that is close to me and all my years and experience as a model, and turn it around and make this character Christmas-y, because I look like a Christmas guy. I was doing fashion for Toronto Fashion Week and Toronto men’s Fashion Week and I started doing a lot of selfies, so I thought, “how can I take a selfie and make some money for a cause or charity?” I’m not trying to take away from Santa Claus. I’m just trying to create a character that brings joy and happiness and all of the stuff associated with the season.
Q: I’m assuming it’s only a few months a year that you’re doing this ...
A: Yes, but I’m hoping when the brand is developed a little bit more I can do some publishing. I’ve already been asked by an agent about a book, so that’s exciting. Q: Do you keep the beard all year? A: Yes, I’m really nervous to take it down. Maybe in January I’ll take it right off and see how long it would take to grow it back.
Q: There’s a big community of Santa impersonators out there. Have they been supportive?
A: I saw a (Santa impersonator) and he just said, “You’re putting me out of work!” But he was like, three sizes bigger than me. I don’t compete with Santa, that’s not my thing. If anyone asks, I just say I’m Santa’s younger brother. I’m the one who watched his weight.