Jack Mackenroth interview
This is the original version of Jack Mackenroth interview, published here in Italian language.
Could you tell something about you?
Hmmm--that's a wide open question. Let's see, I always wanted to work for the FBI or CIA. I'm single--not by choice.
What was your first job?
When I was in high school I used to clean office buildings at night after all the executives had gone home. Good times. Polishing marble floors at 2AM was super fun.
How did you decide you wanted to design menswear?
Menswear is just comes easily to me. I think to myself "e;would I wear this?"e; Women's design is much more dificult as a business because you have to follow so many trends and they change constantly. Menswear is fairly static. I just 'get' it.
Why did you choose West Village area for your menswear store?
Well back when I had the store in the early 90's the street I was on was very quiet and quaint. I wanted a cute spot but something I could affford that wasn't too crazy. Now Bleecker street is filled with Marc Jacobs, Ralph Lauren, Kate Spade and Tommy Hifiger.
Could you tell us some dressing style suggestions? For example, how a man should dress himself for a first appointment with a guy or whot we should dress from a romanitic evenining with our boyfriend?
Well always slightly overdress for an interview type situation. Better to be overdressed than underdressd. Make sure a suit fits--a tailor can be your best investment.
For a date just be yourself. Eventually your own personal style will come out so don't try to be something you aren't.
A nice prom dress with a tiara always works.
I read you are also a professional swimmer... what about that?
I have been a competitive swimmer since I was 6. It keeps my sane and organized. Plus I can eat whatever I want if I am training a lot. Currently i am training for the Outgames in Copenhagen this summer. I'm very competitive and I like to win. :)
Why have you choosen to be so openly open about your positive HIV status?
Why not? Thats the whole point. There should not be a moral judgement that goes along with being HIV+. It's just a disease. I am working on an amazing HIV education campaign called Living Positive by Design that aims to combat the stigma associated with HIV by living openly and talking about the disease and treatment options. (Livingpositivebydesign.com)
What's your projects for the future?
Well right now I am In LA pitching a design show with Kevin Christiana (from my season of Proj Run) and we are working with Style and Oprahs new network, OWN. Hopefully it will get picked up. I am doing a bunch of other design projects and Kit, Kevin Sweet P and I are planning a group fashion show in Miami in May. Other than that Living Positive by Design keeps me very busy because I travel all over the US to speak.
Visit Jackmackenroth.com and Livingpositivebydesign.com for more info!