17 Questions to a well-dressed man: Charles Wong
Photo credit: Charles Wong
Charles Wong I could describe as a man with multiple passions and talents. His blog My Modern Darcy is a joy to read and focussed on all kinds of topics in the luxury field. But an even more interesting activity that keeps Charles busy is creating his own fragrances. Recently he launched his second one which is called ‘’Aurora Lindenhof am Morgen’’ and the first one he ever launched was ‘’Aurora’’. Fragrances that can be counted to the limited amount of niche fragrances we have on this planet. Charles is living in Hong Kong and since that is a famous tailoring city it might have triggered his interest in dressing well as he is a very elegant gentleman. It’s a pleasure to ask a man with so many passions and talents the 17 questions to a well-dressed man.
What are you wearing today?
Ironically I am not in my dapper formal attire today, a fitted white polo shirt, a pair of petrol blue 5-pocket trousers, navy blue suede belt and ankle boot, with my favourite touch of aquatic and energising fragrance.
If you had to choose to spend money either on a suit or on a watch, what would you choose?
A suit.
What jewellery could a man wear?
Cufflinks, simple designed ring; for me, I like to wear a vintage brooch on the lapel of my blazer.
Tie or a bowtie?
Both.
Do you remember your first jacket?
Sadly no, sorry.
What is your favourite watch?
For some reason I have my eyes on the Viennese watch-maker Carl Suchy & Söhne when I saw it on the Watch & Clock exhibition about two years ago; now I am wearing a watch from a German watch-maker, Abeler & Söhne, which I met the current owner of the watch-maker last year. I have written about these 2 brands on my blog too.
Fountain pen or ballpoint?
Fountain pen.
Have you found the perfect garment yet?
Yes, but I have to do my part too to keep my body shape as what I am now, and to wear them nicely.
Explain your biggest passion in one sentence?
It’s a tough one as there are many things that I am passionate about, the pursue of the ultimate ‘art de vivre’ I guess, and self-development.
What is your guilty pleasure?
A nicely set afternoon tea with a glass of bubblies, in an elegant restaurant, secluded table with a tranquil and soothe view.
Who is the best dressed man in the world for you?
William Haines, Rudolph Valentino, Hardy Amies, Cecil Beaton, Cary Grant, Roy Halston Frowick; one more - Matthew Crawley.
The best book you ever read?
Uhm..., quite a few actually: ‘Big magic’ by Elizabeth Gilbert; ‘Designing your life’ by Bill Burnett & Dave Evans. Just finished reading a story titled ‘Jezebel’ by the legendary writer Irène Némirovsky, am starting her other book titled ‘David Golder’.
Which city should one go shopping?
It depends on what you would like to shop, but in general we can almost shop everything online these days except bespoke suiting I suppose.
Tweed or flannel?
Flannel.
The most elegant restaurant in the world for you?
La Réserve, Le 1728, Lapérouse, Jardin d’Hiver in Hotel de Crillon - all in Paris.
Describe your style in three words?
Preppy, polished, blue-blood chic.
Best purchase you did in the last 6 months?
A book actually: ‘Ralph Lauren - in his own fashion’ by Alan Flusser.